Response surface-based finite element model calibration of a one-span historical masonry bridge

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the dynamic behavior of a one-span historical masonry arch bridge. For this reason, the masonry bridge with 15.5m in length and 4.75m in width was chosen and the modal parameters were obtained by performing numerical analyses and experimental measurements. Operational Modal Analysis technique is utilized for experimental study to determine modal parameters of the historical masonry bridge. Sensitive three-axial accelerometers were located on critical points on the bridge span and signals originated by accelerometers were collected to quantify the vibratory response of the historical bridge. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification method are employed to identify the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios experimentally. The 3D finite element modeling of the historical masonry bridge was created and the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the bridge were determined numerically. Experimental results were compared with those of the finite element analysis of the bridge. It can be noticed significant differences when comparing the results of the experimental and numerical with the initial conditions. Therefore, the finite element model is calibrated by using the response surface method according to the experimental results to minimize the uncertain finite element modeling parameters of the historical masonry arc bridge such as material properties and boundary conditions. At the end of the calibration process, the maximum differences between natural frequencies obtained experimental measurements and numerical analysis decreases from 4%-50% to 0.5%-2.5%. The final calibrated finite element model for the masonry bridge is able to produce natural frequencies in close agreement with the measured ones.

Comparative Analysis of Measurement Points for Structural Damage Identification in Free-Free Aluminium Beam using Response Surface Methodology and FRF Curvature

“…The FRF curvature approach, by Sampaio and Maia [11], is promising but lacks research [12][13][14][15]. RSM establishes a relationship between design variables and responses [16][17][18][19]. The methodology for developing the RSM for damage identification using FRF curvature is illustrated in Figure 1 where it consists of three main stages.…”