In-service prestressed concrete box girder bridges have received increasing attention in recent years due to a large number of bridges reaching decades in service. Therefore, the ageing of infrastructure demands the development of robust condition assessment methodologies based on affordable technology such as vehicle-induced vibration tests (VITs) in contrast with more expensive existing technologies such as tests using hammers or shakers. Ambient vibration tests (AVTs) have been widely used worldwide, taking advantage of freely available ambient excitation sources. However, the literature has commonly reported insufficient input energy to excite the structure to obtain satisfactory modal identification results, especially in long-span concrete bridges. On the other hand, the use of forced vibration tests (FVTs) requires more economic resources. This paper presents the results of field measurements at optimally selected locations in VITs consisting of a 32-ton truck and a springboard with a height of 50 mm. AVTs using optimal sensor placement (OSP) provide similar results to VITs without considering OSP locations. Additionally, the VIT/AVT cost ratio is reduced to 2 since a shorter data collection time is achieved within a one-day (8 h) test framework, which minimizes temperature effects, thus leading to improvements in AVT identification results, especially in vertical modes.

Objetivo: Análisis de viabilidad estructural para configuraciones de soporte de paneles solares en rellenos sanitarios clausurados para un mejor aprovechamiento de estos espacios contribuyendo a aumentar la capacidad del país de generación de energía renovable en espacios donde la afectación de ecosistemas es baja o nula. Metodología: Con base en los parámetros de análisis identificados como relevantes, se ejecutó una revisión bibliográfica que permitió identificar seis tipologías estructurales y con base en modelado numérico realizar un análisis para los componentes de seguridad estructural, afectaciones por asentamientos diferenciales y costos. Resultados: Se analizaron las diferentes alternativas de estructuras de soporte con base en los parámetros planteados en la metodología. Adicionalmente en el análisis de cargas se logró identificar que la carga crítica de diseño corresponde a la carga de viento. Con base en un análisis comparativo se recomendó el uso de la normativa japonesa JIS C 8955 para el diseño de este tipo de estructuras de soporte. Conclusiones: Se identifica la opción de estructura de soporte con elementos de arriostramiento lateral, apoyos articulados y zapatas aisladas como la más recomendada para este tipo de implementaciones.

Updating a finite-element (FE) model using dynamic parameters obtained from field testing requires an adequate understanding of the variation of such parameters due to changes in environmental conditions. This paper presents an experimental program to study the influence of the water–structure interaction in the dynamic response of a prestressed concrete segmental bridge with partially submerged piers in an artificial reservoir. The bridge, located in Colombia, has a total length of 558 m. Ambient Vibration Tests (AVTs) consisted of four experimental campaigns at different water levels to perform modal identification. In addition, existing empirical formulations accounted for the effect of the hydrodynamic masses concentrated in the piers. This paper shows that updating FE models from identified dynamic properties in partially submerged bridges involves percentage reductions in natural frequencies related to the reservoir's water level. Thus, providing a better insight into the incidence of water–structure interaction on partially submerged bridges' dynamic response. Finally, considerations during dynamic characterization tests are discussed.