Dynamic assessment, FE modelling and parametric updating of a butterfly-arch stress-ribbon pedestrian bridge

The article focuses on the dynamic identification and finite element (FE) modelling of a butterfly-arch stress-ribbon pedestrian bridge in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The Stochastic Subspace Identification method yields an estimate of the operational modal parameters. A highly synchronous tri-axial wireless sensor network was deployed on the bridge deck to record the structure’s ambient vibration. Eight stable modes in the frequency range 3.59–14.92 Hz were found, associated with prevalent bending and torsional deformations. Four distinct FE models of the bridge with progressive complexity and accuracy were developed to investigate the sensitivity of the modal features to the modelling choices. The FE model characterised by the fittest agreement with the experimental modal parameters was used for the automatic parametric optimisation based on a sensitivity-based algorithm. The stiffness of the springs simulating the soil-structure interaction, the elastic modulus of the concrete deck and the elastic modulus of the tendons were chosen as updating parameters for a total of eight parameters. The effect of non-structural elements (handrails) and prestress on the modal features are also investigated. The final advanced FE model developed can serve as baseline for a long-term monitoring of the bridge during its life-cycle, and also provides some recommendations to practitioners and scholars all over the world for the modelling and analysis of this particular kind of footbridges.