Model updating for Binzhou Yellow River Highway Bridge considering uncertainties

This paper presents an improved finite element (FE) model updating method for Binzhou Yellow River Highway Bridge and its associated uncertainties by utilizing measured dynamic response data. The dynamic characteristics of the bridge have been studied through both three dimensional finite element prediction and field vibration previously. A comprehensive sensitivity study to demonstrate the effects of structural parameters (including the connections and boundary conditions) on the modes concern is first performed, according with a set of structural parameters are then selected for adjustment. According to the eigenequation considering uncertainties, the proposed methodology transforms model updating problem for Binzhou Yellow River Highway Bridge into two deterministic constrained optimization problems regarding the predictable part and uncertainties of structural parameters. Both the predictable part and associated uncertainties of the structural parameters could be obtained in iterative fashions so as to minimize the difference between the predicted and the measured natural frequencies. The final updated model for Binzhou Yellow River Highway Bridge is able to produce natural frequencies and associated frequency uncertainties in good agreement with measured ones, and can be helpful for a more precise dynamic response prediction.