Vibration-based characterization of underpass bridge using wavelet packet decomposition method

This study aims to investigate the dynamic characteristics of an underpass bridge, in particular the frequency response of the bridge. While Bridge Health Monitoring (BHM) is highly dependent on the environmental factors and its utilization, to focus, the effect of moving loads, such as large vehicles, is chosen as the parameter to be monitored as it is the most crucial factor. The study initiates with a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of the bridge to obtain the mode shape of the first fundamental frequency of the bridge. This fundamental frequency is a reference to Wavelet Packets Decomposition (WPD) method to highlight the frequency characteristic under load condition by the heavy vehicles. The collected data and the results are expected to derive the bridges parameters, which can be used to build a dynamical model of the bridges, to use for further study and for the purpose of condition monitoring and to anticipate future maintenance.