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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations

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Publication Number: FHWA-RD-03-089
Date: September 2005

Dynamic Bridge Substructure Evaluation and Monitoring

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Foreword

This research project was performed to investigate the possibility that, by measuring the dynamic response characteristics of a bridge substructure, it might be possible to determine the condition and safety of the substructure and identify its foundation type (shallow or deep). Determining bridge foundation conditions with this approach may be applied to quantify losses in foundation stiffness caused by earthquakes, scour, and impact events. Identifying bridge foundation type may be used to estimate bridge stability and vulnerability under dead and live load ratings, particularly for unknown bridge foundations. Of several protocols evaluated, Hilbert-Huang Transforms (HHT) showed the most promise for structural damage diagnosis. Further work using the HHT method is recommended. The results of this study will be of interest to geotechnologists and others who are involved in nondestructive bridge condition assessment.

Steven B. Chase, Ph.D.Acting Director,Office of Infrastructure Research and Development

 

Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document.

 

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

 

Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No
FHWA-RD-03-089
2. Government Accession No.
NA
3. Recipient's Catalog No.
N/A
4. Title and Subtitle
Dynamic Bridge Substructure Evaluation and Monitoring
5. Report Date
September2005
6. Performing Organization Code
N/A
7. Authors(s)
Larry D. Olson, P.E.
8. Performing Organization Report No.
N/A
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Olson Engineering, Inc.
5191 Ward Road Ste. #1
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
N/A
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-96-C-00030
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final report, 1995-2003
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
HRDI-01
15. Supplementary Notes
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR): Michael Adams, HRDI-06
16. Abstract
This research project was funded to investigate the possibility that, by measuring and modeling the dynamic response characteristics of a bridge substructure, it might be possible to determine the condition and safety of the substructure and identify its foundation type (shallow or deep). Determination of bridge foundation conditions with this approach may be applied to quantify losses in foundation stiffness caused by earthquakes, scour, and impact events. Identification of bridge foundation type may be employed to estimate bridge stability and vulnerability under dead and live load ratings, particularly for unknown bridge foundations.
17. Key Words
Bridge Foundation, Hubert-Huang Transform, Scour, Nondestructive Testing, Bridge Substructure, Unknown Bridge Foundations, Bridge Condition Assessment, Earthquakes
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available to the Public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161
19. Security Classif. (of this report)
Unclassified
20. Security Classif. (of this page)
Unclassified
21. No. of Pages
216
22. Price 

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72)    Reproduction of completed page authorized (art. 5/94)

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2. PROJECT SCOPE AND LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER 3. DESCRIPTION OF MODAL VIBRATION TEST BRIDGES
CHAPTER 4. MODAL TEST PROGRAM FOR BRIDGE SUBSTRUCTURES
CHAPTER 5. MODAL VIBRATION DATA PROCESSING AND ANALYSES
CHAPTER 6. STRUCTURAL MODELING AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION
CHAPTER 7. USING THE HILBERT-HUANG TRANSFORM FOR SUBSTRUCTURE DAMAGE EVALUATION
CHAPTER 8. INTEGRATION OF DYNAMIC TESTING RESULTS TO BRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

 

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Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center | 6300 Georgetown Pike | McLean, VA | 22101