Effect of Temperature on Daily Modal Variability of a Steel-Concrete Composite Bridge
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 6
Abstract
Vibration-based damage detection techniques typically use changes of modal characteristics of bridges as a possible indication of damage. However, structural damages are not the only cause of these changes. This study investigates the effect of temperature variations on modal characteristics of a two span steel-concrete composite bridge in North Carolina, and addresses the extent and reason of the daily changes observed in its dynamic properties. The field testing included measuring vibration responses, deflections, and temperatures of the bridge throughout a summer day. The dynamic characteristics of the bridge, derived from measurements at different times of the day, were compared with each other. Recorded temperatures and deflections of the bridge deck were used to address the observed changes in the natural frequencies of the bridge. Results of the field testing showed that temperature variations can induce modal variability on a daily cycle. A primary reason for this observation can be attributed to the temperature gradients measured on the bridge deck from night to noon.
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Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for their permission to access and collect the data on the bridge. Special thanks to Dr. Francisco Morera who assisted with the data collection. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Award Number: 2008-ST-061-ND 0001. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 6 • November 2012
Pages: 979 - 983
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 1, 2011
Accepted: Jan 18, 2012
Published online: Jan 20, 2012
Published in print: Nov 1, 2012
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