Numerical Evaluation of Vibration-Based Methods for Damage Assessment of Cable-Stayed Bridges

Abstract

This study investigated a number of different damage detection algorithms for structural health monitoring of a typical cable-stayed bridge. The Bayview Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge in Quincy, Illinois, was selected for the study. The focus was in comparing the viability of simplified techniques for practical applications. Accordingly, the numerical analysis involved development of a precise linear elastic finite element model (FEM) to simulate various structural health monitoring test scenarios with accelerometers. The Effective Independence Method was employed to locate the best distribution of the accelerometers along the length of the bridge. The simulated accelerometer data based on the FEM analysis was employed for the evaluation of the four damage identification methods investigated here. These methods included the Enhanced Coordinate Modal Assurance Criterion, Damage Index Method, Mode Shape Curvature Method, and Modal Flexibility Index Method. Some of these methods had been previously applied only to a number of specific bridges. However, the investigation here provides the relative merits and shortcomings of the damage detection methods in long-span cable-stayed bridges.

Bridge Damage Detection Based on Vibration Data: Past and New Developments

“…A comparative study of many of the aforementioned traditional, modal-based damage detection techniques was conducted by Talebinejad et al (2011). The study found that only highintensity damages were detectable through the application of these methods and that they were quite sensitive to noise contamination and that they identified numerous false damage events.…”

Fused empirical mode decomposition and wavelets for locating combined damage in a truss-type structure through vibration analysis

“…These methods are based on changes in the vibration characteristics on the structure, because vibration measurements are sensitive enough to detect damage, especially in the truss-type structures, where the vibration levels are high (Yan et al, 2012). The basic idea of vibration-based SHM is that modifications in structural characteristics affect the vibration response characteristics of structures (Talebinejad et al, 2011).…”

A State of the Art Review of Modal-Based Damage Detection in Bridges: Development, Challenges, and Solutions

“…Many comparative studies have been conducted to assess the aforementioned modal parameters against each other, such as Talebinejad et al [71], who applied COMAC, DIM, MCM, and MFM to a FE model of a cable-stayed bridge subjected to varying degrees of excitation and noise. It was found that only large damage events were detected, as noise contamination reduced damage sensitivity.…”