Verification of bridge displacement response calculation using acceleration response, and velocity waveform processing/evaluation

Abstract

This study presents and validates a methodology for estimating bridge deflection by assigning representative parameters to each bridge and integrating acceleration responses induced by vehicle passage. The deflection is computed through a two-step integration process: the initial integration yields velocity responses, which are subsequently processed and integrated again. To mitigate noise, a Hamming window was applied to the acceleration data, while baseline correction using continuous wavelet transform and low- pass filtering was employed for the velocity responses. The parameters for baseline correction were determined by constructing a regression model trained on Pareto-optimal solutions derived via multi- objective optimization using a multi-objective optimization algorithm. An evaluation index based on the symmetry of velocity waveforms obtained from acceleration data was introduced to eliminate displacement estimates with large errors among multiple baseline correction outcomes. The proposed technique was applied to acceleration responses measured during vehicle crossings, and its validity was confirmed. The discrepancy between the deflection estimated from acceleration data and that obtained from displacement gauges was within 0.05mm, indicating a high level of accuracy.