Study on applicability of two modal identification techniques in irrelevant cases is made in this paper. The following techniques are considered: peak picking based on correlation analysis (PP-CA), dedicated for ambient vibrations and eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), formulated for free-decay vibrations investigation. Irrelevant cases are found when analyzed signals are different than recommended to a given technique. The study is conducted on examples of two real structures: masonry tower and steel railway bridge. Both cases are diverse in age, material, excitation and vibrations energy. The signals measured on the tower are suitable for the PP-CA technique (ambient vibrations), while the signals measured on the bridge are suitable for the ERA (free-decay vibrations). However, both methods have been applied to both systems. Natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios are identified and the effectiveness of the irrelevant technique is assessed in relation to the results obtained by the relevant method in each case.

In the present paper, the identification of the material parameters of a masonry lighthouse is discussed. A fully non-invasive method was selected, in which the material properties were determined via numerical model validation applied to the first pair of natural frequencies and their related mode shapes, determined experimentally. The exact structural model was built by means of the finite element method. To obtain experimental data for the inverse analysis, operational modal analysis was applied to the structure. Three methods were considered: peak picking (PP), eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) and natural excitation technique with ERA (NExT-ERA). The acceleration’s responses to environmental excitations, enhanced in some periods of time by sheet piling hammering or by sudden interruptions like wind stroke, were assumed within the analysis input. Different combinations of the input were considered in the PP and NExT-ERA analysis to find the most reasonable modal forms. A number of time periods of a free-decay character were considered in the ERA technique to finally calculate the averaged modal forms. Finally, the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio and material density of brick, sandstone and granite masonry were determined. The obtained values supplement the state of the art database concerning historic building materials. In addition, the numerical model obtained in the analysis may be used in further cases of structural analysis.

Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computational Mechanics, Prace Naukowe Instytutu Matematyki i Informatyki, Politechnika Częstochowska, Scientific Research of the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, Czestochowa University of Technology

The paper presents the results of dynamic analysis of the small-span railway bridge, subjected to an action of moving trains. Numerical simulations were performed using three different load models: series of moving forces, series of moving single-mass and double-mass oscillators. The parameters of the vehicle were taken from the existing EN57 train. The parameters of the bridge were taken from the existing steel span of 10,24 m long. In both cases, the dynamic parameters were identified based on free-response measurements using modal identification techniques. Vibrations of the midpoint of the bridge as well as the mass of the oscillator have been analyzed. Numerical results obtained for individual load models were compared with the results of in-situ tests performed under operating conditions.

The first part of the paper provides a review of the state of knowledge of the dynamic behaviour of railway bridges under moving loads. Particular attention is paid to developments in modelling railway bridge loading and dynamic vehicle-span (structure) interaction. The most important aspects determining the advancements in this area of knowledge are identified. The contemporary techniques for defining bridge span finite element models used in dynamic analyses are also discussed. The second, practical part of the paper presents the results of numerical simulations of the passage of load along the bridge structure. The railway loads are represented by a series of concentrated forces and a series of single-mass oscillators. Vibration of the bridge span centre and the vehicle mass depending on the speed of travel are considered. The loading parameters are adopted to represent a real railway vehicle - EN57 electrical multiple unit. The structure’s parameters were adopted on the basis of a 30 m long load-relieving span. In both cases modal identification techniques were used to obtain all the required dynamic parameters of the span under analysis on the basis of experimental data.