Characterization of the wave field around an existing end-supported pontoon bridge from simulated data

Abstract

The environmental excitation and the dynamic response are currently being monitored on the Bergsøysund Bridge, an existing end-supported pontoon bridge. Wave radars are monitoring the one-point sea surface elevation at six different locations. As the wave excitation is considered the main concern for vibration-based design of similar bridges, an appropriate description of the sea state characterizing the wave excitation is crucial. Furthermore, it is considered a necessity for an assessment of the quality of response predictions by comparison with measurements. In the current paper, time simulations of wave elevation are used to identify the already-known sea states. The Fourier Expansion Method (FEM) and Extended Maximum Entropy Principle (EMEP) are applied for this purpose. The results provide valuable insights about both the identification methods and the sensor layout.