A study on the vibration serviceability performance of a new steel arch footbridge

This paper presents a comprehensive vibration serviceability assessment of a newly constructed steel arch pedestrian bridge located in the Marche Region in Central Italy. The growing trend toward lightweight and slender bridge designs, driven by advancements in computational methods and construction materials, has underlined the importance of evaluating vibrations induced by dynamic actions such as pedestrian flow and wind. Although these vibrations typically do not compromise structural integrity, they can significantly affect user comfort and the serviceability of the structure. A finite element model of the bridge was developed and calibrated using data obtained from operational modal analysis (OMA), enabling accurate numerical simulations of the modal properties and dynamic response to pedestrian induced effects. The analysis was carried out in accordance with the SETRA guidelines. To mitigate the identified comfort related issues, the implementation of Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) is proposed as an effective vibration control strategy. The results provide valuable insights into the bridge’s dynamic performance and demonstrate a robust methodological framework for assessing vibration serviceability in line with current design standards.