Experimental Investigation on Pedestrian Walking Load in Steel Footbridges

Accurate simulation of walking load is of great significance in conducting human-induced vibration analyses. However, accurate pedestrian walking load data obtained from long-span footbridges is scarce and data reliability depends on the sensor used for measurement. In the current work, Yanluo Footbridge with 102 m span was adopted as test site and Xnode high-precision acceleration wireless sensor was applied for measurements. An experimental investigation was performed on walking loads according to bipedal walking force model. In experimental studies, single-person and multi-person walking tests were performed at Yanluo Footbridge to measure corresponding stride frequency and dynamic load factor. The acceleration time-histories of walking pedestrians were accurately recorded using three-axis wireless acceleration sensor Xnode. Furthermore, the equation of dynamic load factor was derived by analyzing time-histories and power spectra and the design models of pedestrian walking load and crowd load were developed based on a great number of experimental data. Time histories of pedestrian walking loads showed regular periodic changes and dynamic load factor increased by increasing stride frequency. Using the walking load model developed in this work, the reliable structure response of human-induced vibration analysis can be obtained.