Damage assessment of concrete structures through dynamic testing methods. Part 2: Bridge tests

The present paper is split into two parts: in the first part the different dynamic damage indicators are defined and applied to beam and slab structures under laboratory conditions, whereas the present second part deals with experiments carried out on two real post-tensioned bridges. The damage indicators defined in part one are based on swept sine excitation and reveal the drop of the eigenfrequencies, the changes in damping, the varying dependency range of the first eigenfrequency on excitation force amplitude and the occurrence of higher harmonics, which changed the Total Harmonic Distorsion (THD) and a special transfer-function called TF or FRFsmall. In the first part it was proved that the amount of nonlinearities varies with damage and that harmonic excitation is favorable for good test conditions. In the laboratory this can easily be done using an electric or hydraulic shaker, but on real bridges this kind of excitation becomes more complicated due to the higher forces and the necessity to provide counter bearing for any shaker system.That is why two machines were designed and used to excite big structures harmonically, e.g. real bridges in this part. The different indicators are applied to assess the state of two post-tensioned bridges, which had been in good order and condition before artificial damage in multiple steps was caused. It turns out that the decrease in the eigenfrequencies is the most important damage indicator, provided temperature and mass dependant effects can be eliminated. All other indicators may be used as supplements to give correct tendencies, but no strict limits.

► Dynamic damage assessment of concrete structures on real bridges. ► Presentation of two dynamic exciters for bridges. ► Variations of non-linear characteristics with damage. ► Definition of non-linear damage indicators based on higher harmonics.