Dynamic monitoring of bridges during static load tests: influence of the dynamics of trucks on the modal parameters of the bridge

This paper presents results of an extensive experimental campaign carried out during the construction phases of a base-isolated bridge across the Potenza river in central Italy. The structure is constituted by a half-through steel arch bridge composed by two coupled weathering steel tubular arches sustained by thirty couples of hangers and by two approaching viaducts. The bridge has a continuous twin-girder steel–concrete composite deck. During construction, impact load tests were carried out on hangers as well as on other tie elements to estimate their tension force from the relevant resonance frequencies. During the proof test, relative displacements occurred between the upper and lower plates of the seismic isolators are measured for different loading conditions. In addition, ambient vibration tests are performed during the final static load tests to investigate the bridge dynamics subjected to different loading conditions. Comparisons of test results with the numerical predicted values contributed to evaluate the consistency between the design and the real structure at different construction stages. Dynamic identification tests contributed to identify the significance of the truck–bridge interaction in the interpretation of the bridge dynamics evaluated experimentally.