A critical analysis of simplified procedures for footbridges’ serviceability assessment

Abstract

This paper provides a critical analysis of the procedures available in the literature for the serviceability assessment of footbridges in unrestricted pedestrian traffic condition. Based on a full probabilistic model of walking-induced forces, Monte Carlo simulations are carried out and the numerically obtained dynamic response is compared with the one provided by simplified procedures. Furthermore, a new technical procedure is proposed which permits a direct and simple evaluation of footbridge maximum acceleration as a function of the expected average pedestrian flow and the modal properties of the footbridge.