Vibration-based operational modal analysis of the Mikron historic arch bridge after restoration

Abstract

This research presents finite element modelling, vibration-based operational modal analysis, and finite element model updating of a restored historic arch bridge. Mikron historic bridge, constructed on Firtina River in Rize, Turkey, is the subject of this case study. The General Directorate for Highways of Turkey repaired the bridge's main structural elements, arches, sidewalls, and filler material in 1998. To construct a 3D finite element model of the bridge, ANSYS finite element software estimated the analytical dynamic characteristics. Induced ambient vibrations such as human walking and wind excited the model bridge to allow measurement of the bridge's responses. Enhanced frequency domain decomposition in frequency domain and stochastic subspace identification in time domain methodologies extracted experimental dynamic characteristics. A comparison of the analytical and experimental results showed significant agreement between mode shapes, but some differences in natural frequencies appeared. Consequently, updating the finite element model of the bridge by changing boundary conditions minimised the differences between analytical and experimental natural frequencies. After the finite element model updating process, the differences between natural frequencies declined from 7% to 2%.