Bridge modal identification based on frequency variation caused by a parked vehicle

Modal parameters are the main dynamic characteristics of bridge. This study aims to propose an innovative route to estimate the modal parameters for bridges by using a parked vehicle in which mode shapes with high accuracy and spatial resolution are identified by frequency measurement. Based on the theory of dynamic modification and modal identification, the mathematical formulation between the parked mass induced frequency variation and the modal parameters of a bridge is derived. Then this mathematical formulation is extended to a parked vehicle-bridge system. The arithmetic and processes for estimating the modal parameters based on the identified frequency variation of the vehicle-bridge systems when the vehicle locates at sequentially arranged positions are presented. Finally the proposed method is applied to several simulated bridges of different types. The results indicate that it can estimate the modal parameters with high accuracy and efficiency.