Dynamic measurements and finite element analysis of a composite steel-concrete highway girder bridge

This study focuses on the Operational Modal Analysis and numerical modeling of a steel-concrete girder bridge of the Italian highway network that has been subjected to extensive retrofit. A thorough experimental campaign is conducted, including in situ tests to measure the dynamic behavior of the bridge under wind or seismic loads. The test data are used to identify the modal parameters of the bridge and to calibrate a finite element model of the structure that reflects its current state. The finite element model is then adopted to perform sensitivity analyses for different scenarios of heavy vehicle traffic. The results help to understand how the bridge reacts to different loading conditions.