Dynamic Characterization of a Squat Historical Bridge by Considering Vehicle-Bridge Interaction

This work reports on a series of experimental tests carried out on the historical masonry bridge of Santa Teresa of Bitonto (Puglia, Italy). The experimental campaign using enviromental vibration tests with 22 monitored points has been performed to obtain the main vibration modes of the bridge with the corresponding frequencies and damping ratios. Ten tests have been performed, of which six with the passage of a fully loaded truck on bumpers placed in different positions on the bridge deck. The experimental setup and the measure acquisition are described. The experimental results have been analyzed by using OMA techniques and considering the vehicle-bridge interaction. The identification of the bridge with its particular geometry (squat structure) can be facilitated by the passage of the truck as demonstrated by the experimental analysis shown in the paper.