Vibration performance assessment of a long-span steel footbridge

To meet the basic requirements of long spans, steel footbridges are generally lightweight structures with low stiffness. Moreover, current trends in innovative structural design have led to more vibration problems related to resonance or quasi-resonance of footbridge structures at typical pedestrian walking frequencies. The present authors apply a feasible methodology to assess the vibration performance of footbridges based on an equivalent beam model developed from a detailed finite-element model and experimental measurements. Free- and induced-vibration tests are performed on a long-span inverted-queen-post-truss steel footbridge located in Rio de Janeiro, which exhibits vibration problems. Pedestrian walking simulations are performed with the simplified footbridge model using a typical dynamic load given from a Fourier series, as well as with a biodynamical formulation that considers human-structure interactions. The equivalent beam model provides a practical means of investigating corrective intervention strategies for the problem of excessive footbridge vibration using tuned mass dampers, and allows the in-service footbridge performance to be assessed based on current standards and design guidelines.