Structural-health-monitoring-oriented baseline finite element modeling of a super-long-span suspension bridge

A baseline finite element (FE) model is of critical importance in the long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) of bridges, which should be validated through field-tests and then could represent actual behaviours of complete bridge. The methodology of structural-health-monitoring-oriented baseline FE modeling of a super-long-span suspension bridge is presented firstly. The Runyang Suspension Bridge, built recently in Jiangsu province, China, is then taken as a case study to establish a combination of multi-level FE models consisting of a global-scale model and a local-scale model. Field-tests including ambient vibration measurement and static load test are also conducted prior to the opening of the bridge. Comparison shows that there is a good agreement between the computational and experimental results in both global and local scale structural performances. Meanwhile, some important issues in the modeling process, such as the modeling of orthotropic steel plates, the model updating of bridge tower, the initial equilibrium configuration of complete bridge, the boundary conditions of bridge deck, and the analysis of stress distribution in steel-box-girder, are discussed. It is indicates that, the proposed methodology is verified to be rationality and accuracy in applications, and the multi-scale FE models can serves as a reliable representation and analysis model for the damage diagnosis and condition assessment in long-term SHM for the Runyang Suspension Bridge.