• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2018

Damping ratio and frequency have influence on dynamic serviceability or instability such as vortex-induced vibration and displacement amplification due to earthquake and critical flutter velocity, and it is thus important to make determination of damping ratio and frequency accurate. As bridges are getting longer, small scale model test considering similitude law must be conducted to evaluate damping ratio and frequency. Analysis conditions modified by similitude law are applied to experimental test considering different scale ratios. Generally, Nyquist frequency condition based on natural frequency modified by similitude law has been used to determine sampling rate for different scale ratios, and total time length has been determined by users arbitrarily or by considering similitude law with respect to time for different scale ratios. However, Nyquist frequency condition is not suitable for multimode system with noisy signals. In addition, there is no specified criteria for determination of total time length. Those analysis conditions severely affect accuracy of damping ratio. The focus of this study is made on the determination of minimum analysis conditions for different scale ratios. Influence of signal to noise ratio is studied according to the level of noise level. Free initial value problem is proposed to resolve the condition that is difficult to know original initial value for free vibration. Ambient and free vibration tests were used to analyze the dynamic properties of a system using data collected from tests with a two degree-of-freedom section model and performed on full bridge 3D models of cable stayed bridges. The free decay is estimated with the stochastic subspace identification method that uses displacement data to measure damping ratios under noisy conditions, and the iterative least squares method that adopts low pass filtering and fourth order central differencing. Reasonable results were yielded in numerical and experimental tests.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.209-220
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• 2008

A methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of historical monuments is presented in this paper. The ongoing work has been conducted in Tunisia within the framework of the FP6 European Union project (WIND-CHIME) on the use of appropriate modern seismic protective systems in the conservation of Mediterranean historical buildings in earthquake-prone areas. The case study is the five-century-old Zaouia of Sidi Kassem Djilizi, located downtown Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Ambient vibration tests were conducted on the case study using a number of force-balance accelerometers placed at selected locations. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) technique was applied to extract the dynamic characteristics of the monument. A 3-D finite element model was developed and updated to obtain reasonable correlation between experimental and numerical modal properties. The set of parameters selected for the updating consists of the modulus of elasticity in each wall element of the finite element model. Seismic vulnerability assessment of the case study was carried out via three-dimensional time-history dynamic analyses of the structure. Dynamic stresses were computed and damage was evaluated according to a masonry specific plane failure criterion. Statistics on the occurrence, location and type of failure provide a general view for the probable damage level and mode. Results indicate a high vulnerability that confirms the need for intervention and retrofit.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5A
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• pp.631-639
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• 2008

This paper reports the mode shapes of Seohae cable-stayed bridge extracted by TDD technique. In order to record total 72 acceleration points in the vertical direction of the bridge deck, a custom made data acquisition system with LAN communication has been especially developed and a set of ambient vibration tests has been conducted. For the measured acceleration responses, total twenty four mode shapes up to 2Hz has been extracted by TDD technique. The extracted mode shapes include many new modes that have not been identified in the current on-line health monitoring system installed in the bridge. It is confirmed that TDD technique is the most effective in extracting the high resolution mode shapes on a particularly long span bridge.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.345-355
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• 2009

This article describes the development of a fiber optic accelerometer based on Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG). The accelerometer utilizes the stiffness of the optical fiber and a lumped mass in the design. Acceleration is measured by the FBG in response to the vibration of the fiber optic mass system. The wavelength shift of FBG is proportional to the change in acceleration, and the gauge factor pertains to the shift in wavelength as a function of acceleration. Low frequency version of the accelerometer was developed for applications in monitoring bridges. The accelerometer was first evaluated in laboratory settings and then employed in a demonstration project for condition assessment of a bridge. Laboratory experiments involved evaluation of the sensitivity and resolution of measurements under a series of low frequency low amplitude conditions. The main feature of this accelerometer is single channel multiplexing capability rendering the system highly practical for application in condition assessment of bridges. This feature of the accelerometer was evaluated by using the system during ambient vibration tests of a bridge. The Frequency Domain Decomposition method was employed to identify the mode shapes and natural frequencies of the bridge. Results were compared with the data acquired from the conventional accelerometers.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.979-984
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• 2001

The Sang-Jin bridge constructed by the Free Cantilever Method in 1985 is 4-span concrete rahmen bridge with a hinge at midspan. Due to the effect of creep, shrinkage of concrete and relaxation of tendon, the Sang-Jin bridge exposed the excessive displacement at midspan with the passage of time. In order to improve the load-carrying-capacity and durability of the bridge, needs to repair and rehabilitate the structure emerged. New rehabilitation methods were applied such as external prestressing of concrete box, application of pier pre-camber and steel truss jacking. Structural analysis and several tests including static load test, dynamic load test and ambient vibration test were executed to verify the improvement. The test result showed that the displacement of the midspan was improved by 10mm and it was verified that the stiffness of the bridge was increased. Totally, the load-carrying-capacity of Sang-Jin bridge was increased at least 1.56times which was attributed to the new rehabilitation method.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1780-1786
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• 1995

The main goal of the present study is to establish the techniques and methodolgies of turbine performance test through evaluating the objective turbine test piece, and checking the reliability of the self-developed test facility by performing a series of turbine tests under ambient temperature condition. A high speed coupling, a lubrication system and a test bed of the test facility were modified through a series of preliminary test in order to reduce the vibration and oil leakage. The flowrate control of the test facility and data acquisition were accomplished by using a software called "Labview" The measurement of shaft horse power and control of rotational speed according to the conditions of turbine rotation were performed by a separate system. The preliminary evaluation of the measured data suggests that the developed test facility and the test technique can be used reliably for the performance test of turbines with the minor improvement.provement.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.46-51
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• 2004

This paper presents the results of a series of performance and reliability tests for the Stirling cryocooler. Infrared sensor systems incorporating cryocoolers are required to be qualified to the appropriate specification for the performance and reliability. FPFD Stirling cryocooler is currently under development for cooling infrared detector. Manufactured Stirling cryocooler delivers approximately 0.9W cooling at 80K for 30W∼40W of input power. It takes approximately 2 minutes to cool down to 80K at the ambient temperature of 23$^{\circ}C$. Performance characteristics for the vibration, acoustic noise, EMI and leak rate of the Stirling cryocooler are evaluated. We performed low and high temperature keeping test from -32$^{\circ}C$ to +52$^{\circ}C$ and operating test at high and low temperature cyclic range with acceptance tests performed at scheduled intervals. Cooling capacity is determined as a function of the temperatures at the compressor, hot end and cold tip at the expander. Finally, we describe the experimental facility for the MTTF evaluation and some typical results of the Stirling cryocooler.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.327-335
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• 2018

This paper presents structural assessment of a steel railway bridge for current condition using modal parameter to upgrade finite element modeling in order to gather accurate result. An adequate monitoring, such as acceleration, displacement, strain monitoring, is important tool to understand behavior and to assess structural performance of the structure under surround vibration by means of the dynamic analysis. Evaluation of conditions of an existing steel railway bridge consist of 4 decks, three of them are 14 m, one of them is 9.7 m, was performed with a numerical analysis and a series of dynamic tests. Numerical analysis was performed implementing finite element model of the bridge using SAP2000 software. Dynamic tests were performed by collecting acceleration data caused by surrounding vibrations and dynamic analysis is performed by Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) using collected acceleration data. The acceleration response of the steel bridge is assumed to be governing response quantity for structural assessment and provide valuable information about the current statute of the structure. Modal identification determined based on response of the structure play significant role for upgrading finite element model of the structure and helping structural evaluation. Numerical and experimental dynamic properties are compared and finite element model of the bridge is updated by changing of material properties to reduce the differences between the results. In this paper, an existing steel railway bridge with four spans is evaluated by finite element model improved using operational modal analysis. Structural analysis performed for the bridge both for original and calibrated models, and results are compared. It is demonstrated that differences in natural frequencies are reduced between 0.2% to 5% by calibrating finite element modeling and stiffness properties.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.683-698
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• 2015

Railroad bridges form an integral part of railway infrastructure throughout the world. To accommodate increased axel loads, train speeds, and greater volumes of freight traffic, in the presence of changing structural conditions, the load carrying capacity and serviceability of existing bridges must be assessed. One way is through system identification of in-service railroad bridges. To dates, numerous researchers have reported system identification studies with a large portion of their applications being highway bridges. Moreover, most of those models are calibrated at global level, while only a few studies applications have used globally and locally calibrated model. To reach the global and local calibration, both ambient vibration tests and controlled tests need to be performed. Thus, an approach for system identification of a railroad bridge that can be used to assess the bridge in global and local sense is needed. This study presents system identification of a railroad bridge using free vibration data. Wireless smart sensors are employed and provided a portable way to collect data that is then used to determine bridge frequencies and mode shapes. Subsequently, a calibrated finite element model of the bridge provides global and local information of the bridge. The ability of the model to simulate local responses is validated by comparing predicted and measured strain in one of the diagonal members of the truss. This research demonstrates the potential of using measured field data to perform model calibration in a simple and practical manner that will lead to better understanding the state of railroad bridges.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.4
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• pp.391-405
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• 2019

Compared to the ambient vibration test mainly identifying the structural modal parameters, such as frequency, damping and mode shapes, the impact testing, which benefits from measuring both impacting forces and structural responses, has the merit to identify not only the structural modal parameters but also more detailed structural parameters, in particular flexibility. However, in traditional impact tests, an impacting hammer or artificial excitation device is employed, which restricts the efficiency of tests on various bridge structures. To resolve this problem, we propose a new method whereby a moving vehicle is taken as a continuous exciter and develop a corresponding flexibility identification theory, in which the continuous wheel forces induced by the moving vehicle is considered as structural input and the acceleration response of the bridge as the output, thus a structural flexibility matrix can be identified and then structural deflections of the bridge under arbitrary static loads can be predicted. The proposed method is more convenient, time-saving and cost-effective compared with traditional impact tests. However, because the proposed test produces a spatially continuous force while classical impact forces are spatially discrete, a new flexibility identification theory is required, and a novel structural identification method involving with equivalent load distribution, the enhanced Frequency Response Function (eFRFs) construction and modal scaling factor identification is proposed to make use of the continuous excitation force to identify the basic modal parameters as well as the structural flexibility. Laboratory and numerical examples are given, which validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, parametric analysis including road roughness, vehicle speed, vehicle weight, vehicle's stiffness and damping are conducted and the results obtained demonstrate that the developed method has strong robustness except that the relative error increases with the increase of measurement noise.