OMA Test and Model Refinement of a Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridge

Structural assessment and maintenance of existing road and highway bridges is currently gaining relevance in the scientific and engineering communities. This is particularly true in Italy due to the novel regulatory framework released on the subject, that recommends the refinement of numerical models to reduce modeling uncertainties based on the results of Operational Modal Analysis tests. In this context, the present paper discusses the refinement of a Finite Element model of a reinforced concrete highway bridge based on the results of OMA tests. The selected case study is briefly presented by illustrating the most relevant structural characteristics; then, the paper deals with test execution, and results of the construction of an accurate Finite Element (FE) model by Ansys Mechanical ADPL are discussed afterwards, pointing out the modeling assumptions deserving specific attention. Finally, model refinement is presented based on quantitative comparison between experimental and numerical results.