Finite Element Models of a Benchmark Footbridge

Modern footbridges are often lively structures, characterized by natural frequencies that fall in the range of pedestrian activities, such as walking, running, and jumping. Therefore, serviceability assessment under human-induced excitation is crucial both at design stage during footbridge lifetime. This paper presents validates two different FE models an existing with very complex geometry: Streicker Footbridge Princeton University Campus. It represents a benchmark field testbed for vibration assessments excitation. The real structure equipped strain temperature sensors currently used to collect measurements static dynamic modes research educational purposes Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Based on detailed drawings Footbridge, three-dimensional beam-based model was developed represent behavior full-scale bridge. Subsequently, more refined discretization bridge deck adopting shell elements inserted. Finite Element were validated against available SHM data concerning tests. relevant ANSYS APDL script files along example jumping application upon request further developments relationship between pedestrians footbridge.