DYNAMIC MONITORING OF THE SCALE

MODEL OF A BRIDGE TO CALIBRATE A

NUMERICAL STRUCTURAL MODEL
R. L. Silva, L. M. Trautwein, L. C. Almeida & G. H. Siqueira
FEC - UNICAMP, Campinas - SP, Brasil
C. S. Barbosa
POLI - USP, So Paulo - SP, Brasil

1. INTRODUCTION
Numerical models are excellent tools to design
and check complex structures like bridges
Sometimes the representation of the structural
behavior isnt an easy task
Dynamic Monitoring is able to supply important
structural parameters, such as:
- Natural frequencies
- Damping
- Modal shapes

1. INTRODUCTION
How this experimental dynamic parameters
could help us to calibrate a numerical model?
Experimental
parameters

Numeric model
properties

Natural
frequencies
Damping
Modal shape

Mass
Stiffness
Boundary
conditionals

2. BACKGROUND
The Brazils transportation is predominantly
overland
There are thousands bridges around the country
Bridges has strategic importance in economic
and social activities of the country
The complete periodic inspection isnt always
easy neither cheap
The dynamic monitoring to damage identification
has permeated the civil engineering

3. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work is calibrate a numerical
model based on experimental dynamic parameters
Main steps:
Development of a FEM model with its geometry and
materials properties
Dynamic monitoring of an experimental model
Calibration by experimental dynamic parameters

4. EXPERIMENTAL MODEL
Models characteristics:
Geometry extract from TICONA MELO 2011 [1]
Rebars: CA50 (longitudinal), CA60 (transversal)
Concrete: self-compacting C30
Restraints conditionals: simply supported
After the dynamic test the structure was cracked by
bending stress.
TICONA MELO, L. R. Monitorao de modelos fsicos reduzidos para investigao do
comportamento de estruturas em escala real /L.R. Ticona Melo. ed.rev-- So Paulo, 2011. 242 p.
[1]

4. EXPERIMENTAL MODEL
2Z

3Z

4Z

1Z

7X
5Y

6Y

Experimental model and accelerometers position

5. NUMERICAL MODEL
The 3D numerical model was developed in
SAP2000 software
Columns and deck were discretized into bar
elements, joint restraints were made with links

4. NUMERICAL MODEL
Initial materials properties adopted on numerical
model:
fck (MPa)

Columns and
Deck

Links

E (MPa)

30
36800*

0,2

U1 (kN/cm)
U2 (kN/cm)
U3 (kN/cm)

Fixed
0
0

R1 (kN.cm/rad)

R2 (kN.cm/rad)

R3 (kN.cm/rad)

*It is considered the dynamic modulus of elasticity being 20% higher than the static modulus of
elasticity (5600*(fck)1/2).

5. DYNAMIC TEST AND ANALYSIS

The vibration was performed
by soft impacts with a rubber
hammer
Natural frequencies were
identified by Auto spectral
density
The modal shapes were
obtained using ARTeMIS
Modal software

6. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Dynamic parameters obtained by ARTeMIS software:

- Natural
frequencies
- Modal shape
- Damping

7. MODEL CALIBRATION
Calibration was achieved interactively by changing the
properties of materials, comparing the natural frequencies
and modal shapes
CALIBRATED

INITIAL PROPERTIES
Columns and
Deck

Links

fck (MPa)

30

Columns

18403

E (MPa)

36800

Deck

26071

0,2

U1 (kN/cm)

Fixed

Fixed

U2 (kN/cm)

10000

U3 (kN/cm)

R1 (kN.cm/rad)

R2 (kN.cm/rad)

1000

R3 (kN.cm/rad)

1000

Links

10000

8. EXPERIMENTAL X NUMERICAL

EXPERIMENTAL

NUMERICAL

8. EXPERIMENTAL X NUMERICAL

EXPERIMENTAL

NUMERICAL

9. CONCLUSION
The cracked experimental model provided a
challenge to calibrate the numerical model
The dynamic test supplies important parameters
to calibrate numeric models
Comparing the natural frequencies and modal
shapes, the calibration was achieved
For future studies, dynamic tests will be used to
detection and location of structural damages

Contact:
Rodrigo Lopes Silva
Civil Engineer
rodjbass@gmail.com