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

TLDR

Damage detection methods have previously been applied only to a limited set of specific bridges. The study compared the viability of simplified damage detection algorithms for structural health monitoring of a typical cable‑stayed bridge. The authors developed a precise linear elastic FEM of the Bayview Bridge, used the Effective Independence Method to optimize accelerometer placement, and simulated data to evaluate four damage identification methods. The study revealed the relative merits and shortcomings of the four damage detection methods for long‑span cable‑stayed bridges.

Abstract

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.