Vibration assessment of a simply supported footbridge under discrete pedestrian loading

This paper presents an analytical approach to analyze the vertical vibration of a simply supported beam subjected to discrete pedestrian loading. Such loading is characterized as each identical footstep load acting at different locations along the beam depending on a step length, which differs from the moving load model used in current guidelines. It allows us to investigate how pacing parameters such as a pacing period, footstep contact duration, and step length affect the beam response induced by a pedestrian who walks or runs. Also, vibration serviceability estimations based on the proposed running and walking load models and the Setra guideline are compared. It can be concluded that the proposed loading models provide more accurate vibration estimation of a simply supported footbridge under vertical pedestrian loading than other models.