Excitation Methods for Bridge Structures

Abstract

This paper summarizes the various methods that have been used to excite bridge structures during dynamic testing. The excitation methods fall into the general categories of ambient excitation methods and measuredinput excitation methods. During ambient excitation the input to the bridge is not directly measured. In contrast, as the category label implies, measured-input excitations are usually applied at a single location where the force input to the structure can be monitored. Issues associated with using these various types of measurements are discussed along with a general description of the various excitation methods.