Modern Facilities for Experimental Measurement of Dynamic Loads Induced by Humans: A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract. This paper provides a critical overview of available technology and facilities for determining human-induced dynamic forces of civil engineering structures, such as due to walking, running, jumping and bouncing. In addition to traditional equipment for direct force measurements comprising force plate(s), foot pressure insoles and instrumented treadmills, the review also investigates possibility of using optical motion tracking systems (marker-based and marker-free optoelectronic technology) and non-optical motion tracking systems (inertial sensors) to reproduce contact forces between humans and structures based on body kinematics data and known body mass distribution. Although significant technological advancements have been made in the last decade, the literature survey showed that the state-of-the-art force measurements are often limited to individuals in artificial laboratory environments. Experimental identification of seriously needed group-and crowd-induced force data recorded on as-built structures, such as footbridges, grandstands and floors, still remains a challenge due to the complexity of human actions and the lack of adequate equipment.

Review of Pedestrian Load Models for Vibration Serviceability Assessment of Floor Structures

“…A range of monitoring techniques have been discussed (e.g., [123][124][125][126]) to obtain walking patterns of relevant walking entities. This section gives an overview of existing in-service monitoring techniques using motion tracking.…”

“…However, there seems to be no application of using a tracking system for people in civil engineering structures. Such systems would create a potential for studying human walking on floors and their movements [124]. Recently, Chen et al [62] used a Vicon motion capture system in a laboratory to monitor the spatial trajectory of 73 test subjects during walking.…”

Experimental Investigatino on Coherency Factor of Rhythmic Junmping and Its Application for Simulation of Crowd Jumping Load

“…into Equation (9) to get M single jumping load curves, and integrate M curves into one jumping load time history curve.…”

Structural health monitoring of grandstands: a review

“…For experiments, a series of instruments and facilities are necessary to determine dynamic forces produced by humans in structures: walking, running, jumping, cheering, etc. Available equipment can be traditional: force plate, template, foot pressure, instrumented treadmills; or developed with new technologies: optical motion tracking systems (optoelectronic technology) and non-optical motion tracking systems (inertial sensors) [68]. Also great stadiums have been monitored for extended periods of data acquisition.…”