LABORATORY REPORT

Title : Estimation of natural frequencies and

mode shape of bridge
CE556P – Structural Engineering Laboratory

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi

Himachal Pradesh, 175005

Instructor: Submitted by:

Dr. Subhamoy Sen Name: Sujeet Kumar
Associate Professor Roll Number:T24011
Date: November 2024
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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CONTENTS
Abstract
1.Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..3
1.1.Motivation………………………………………………………………………………3
1.2. Aim ……………………………………………………………………………………4
2. Apparatus Required……………………………………………………………………….4
3. Theory…………………………………………………………………………………….5
4.Experimental Procedure……………………………………………………………………7
5.Result and Discussion………………………………………………………………………8
6. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………9
7.Reference…………………………………………………………………………………10

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Abstract
Bridges are susceptible to dynamic loads from traffic, wind, and seismic activity, thus it is
crucial to understand their dynamic behaviour to assure their longevity, safety, and
functionality. Finding a bridge's natural frequencies and mode shapes is the goal of this study
since these factors are essential for forecasting how the structure will react to these forces and
spotting possible weak points. Using triaxial accelerometers, the experiment simulates
external excitations by measuring the bridge's acceleration in three directions in reaction to
moving vehicles. Using sophisticated software such as Dewesoft and MATLAB, the
accelerometer signals are processed and analyzed after being recorded by a data collecting
unit. To extract the dynamic properties of the bridge, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and
frequency response analysis are used. Engineers can use the results to determine resonance
risks, adjust design parameters, and create efficient damping systems since they shed light on
the bridge's structural integrity and dynamic responsiveness. Additionally, the experiment
verifies computational models to make sure they match actual behaviour. The significance of
dynamic analysis in improving public safety, lowering maintenance costs, and prolonging the
life of bridge structures is highlighted in this paper. The results help build more robust and
effective infrastructure by tackling the problems caused by contemporary dynamic loads and
environmental circumstances.

1.Introduction
Bridges are vital components of modern infrastructure, facilitating transportation and
connectivity across various terrains. Ensuring their safety, functionality, and durability is
paramount, as they are continuously exposed to dynamic loads such as vehicular traffic, wind
forces, seismic activity, and environmental vibrations. These forces can induce vibrations in
the structure, potentially exciting its natural frequencies and leading to resonance—a
phenomenon where vibrations amplify, increasing the risk of structural fatigue, damage, or
catastrophic failure. Understanding the dynamic behaviour of bridges, characterized by their
natural frequencies and mode shapes, is critical for predicting their response to such loads.
Natural frequencies represent the bridge's inherent vibrational characteristics, while mode
shapes depict the deformation patterns associated with these frequencies. These dynamic
properties are integral to assessing structural integrity, designing efficient damping
mechanisms, and implementing maintenance strategies to enhance the bridge's performance
and longevity.
This study focuses on determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a bridge using
experimental methods. The investigation involves measuring structural responses with
triaxial accelerometers under controlled excitations, such as moving vehicles. The data
acquired is processed using advanced tools like Dewesoft and MATLAB, enabling a
comprehensive analysis of the bridge's dynamic characteristics. The findings contribute to
optimizing bridge design, ensuring public safety, and supporting the sustainable development
of resilient infrastructure.

1.1.Motivation
Bridges are essential components of infrastructure, connecting regions and supporting
transportation systems that drive economic growth and societal development. However, these
structures are constantly subjected to dynamic forces from various sources, including

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vehicular traffic, wind loads, seismic activities, and environmental vibrations. The
unpredictable and often severe nature of these forces underscores the critical need to
understand and predict the dynamic behaviour of bridges to ensure their safety, functionality,
and durability. One of the primary motivations for conducting this experiment is the risk of
resonance. When dynamic loads excite a bridge's natural frequencies, the resulting resonance
can amplify vibrations, potentially leading to structural fatigue, damage, or catastrophic
failure. Historical incidents, such as the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, have
demonstrated the devastating consequences of failing to account for dynamic behaviour in
bridge design. Thus, identifying the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a bridge is vital
for mitigating these risks and ensuring structural stability.
Another motivation lies in the role of dynamic analysis in optimizing bridge design and
maintenance. Understanding a bridge’s natural frequencies and mode shapes enables
engineers to design effective damping mechanisms, redistribute loads more efficiently, and
implement proactive maintenance strategies. These measures can significantly extend the
lifespan of the structure, reduce repair costs, and prevent premature replacements,
contributing to more sustainable infrastructure management.
Moreover, this experiment provides an opportunity to validate computational models used
during the design and analysis phases of bridge construction. Finite element models and other
numerical simulations are widely used to predict a bridge's dynamic behaviour. However,
discrepancies between theoretical predictions and real-world behaviour can arise due to
assumptions and simplifications in the modelling process. Experimental validation through
modal analysis bridges this gap, ensuring that the models align with actual performance and
providing confidence in their use for future designs. The broader societal and economic
implications of bridge safety further motivate this study. Bridges play a critical role in daily
life, supporting transportation networks, emergency response systems, and supply chains.
Failure of these structures can have catastrophic consequences, including loss of life,
disruption of services, and significant economic losses. By advancing the understanding of
bridge dynamics, this experiment contributes to enhancing public safety, optimizing resource
allocation, and promoting resilience in critical infrastructure.
The motivation for this study stems from the urgent need to address risks associated with
dynamic forces on bridges, improve design and maintenance practices, validate
computational models, and ensure the safety and longevity of these indispensable structures.
This work ultimately supports the development of resilient, efficient, and sustainable
infrastructure to meet the demands of modern society.

1.2.Aim
The aim of the experiment is to estimate the natural frequencies and mode shape of bridge.

2.Appratus Required
• Bridge
• DAQ system (Data Acquisition System)
• Piezoelectric accelerometer sensor (12 in number)
• Shake table
• STG connector

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 • Adaptor for DAQ
• Power cable
• Connecting cables for sensors
• Measuring Tape

Fig1. Triaxial Accelerometers sensor

Fig2.Base stations

3.Theory
Bridges, as critical infrastructure, are exposed to various dynamic forces that influence their
performance and safety. Understanding their dynamic behaviour through natural frequencies
and mode shapes is essential for evaluating structural integrity, predicting responses to
external forces, and optimizing design parameters. The theoretical framework of this study
involves vibration analysis, measurement techniques, and signal processing to determine
these critical dynamic properties.

Dynamic Behaviour of Bridges

When a bridge is exposed to forces such as traffic, wind, or earthquakes, it vibrates. The
characteristics of this vibration depend on the bridge’s mass, stiffness, and damping
properties. These attributes collectively determine its natural frequencies and mode shapes.
Natural frequencies indicate the specific rates at which the structure vibrates when disturbed,
while mode shapes describe the patterns of deformation associated with these vibrations.

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 Fig3. Inspection and experiment on Bridge

Natural Frequencies: Natural frequencies are intrinsic to a structure and depend on its
material composition, geometry, and boundary conditions. They represent the frequencies at
which the bridge will naturally oscillate if no external force is applied. If external forces, such
as those caused by vehicles or wind, align with these frequencies, resonance can occur,
amplifying vibrations and potentially causing significant structural damage.
The behaviour of vibrating systems is governed by mathematical equations of motion, which
describe the relationship between the mass, stiffness, and forces acting on the structure. In the
absence of external forces or damping, these equations simplify into a form that allows
engineers to solve for the natural frequencies and corresponding deformation patterns (mode
shapes).
Mode Shapes: Mode shapes represent the specific ways a bridge deforms at each natural
frequency. They provide insight into the movement of different parts of the structure during
vibration. Understanding mode shapes is critical for identifying areas of maximum deflection
or stress, which are potential weak points that may require additional attention in design or
maintenance.
Measurement of Dynamic Properties
To experimentally determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes, controlled excitations
are applied to the bridge, and its response is measured using specialized equipment. The
primary components of the measurement system include:
1. Triaxial Accelerometers: These sensors capture acceleration in three directions,
providing a comprehensive understanding of the structure’s motion. Proper calibration
ensures accurate and reliable data.

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 2. Data Acquisition Unit (DAQ): This system records the accelerometer signals,
converting them from analog to digital form for analysis.
3. Excitation Source: Controlled forces, such as those generated by moving vehicles, are
used to excite the structure and simulate real-world conditions.
Signal Processing
The data collected by the accelerometers is analyzed using advanced software to extract
meaningful dynamic characteristics. Signal processing involves the following steps:
1. Frequency Response Function (FRF): The FRF defines the relationship between the
applied force and the resulting structural response in the frequency domain. Peaks in
the FRF indicate the natural frequencies.
2. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT): FFT converts time-domain data into the frequency
domain, enabling identification of natural frequencies and their corresponding
amplitudes.
3. Visualization and Analysis: Tools like Dewesoft process the raw signals into
interpretable data, and software like MATLAB is used to further analyze and visualize
results, including the extracted mode shapes
By combining principles of vibration analysis, experimental measurement, and signal
processing, engineers can effectively study a bridge’s dynamic properties. This knowledge
enhances structural safety, performance, and durability, ensuring bridges remain resilient
under various dynamic loads.

4.Experiment procedure
Experimental Procedure for performing the experiment on the bridge as follows:
(a)Instrumentation setup:
Base station setup: Setup the base station (Wireless Sensor Data Aggregator) in the
appropriate location (one side of the bridge near guard post), so that there will be a proper
network connectivity between sensors and base station can be achieved.
Accelerometer placement: Place the tri-axial sensors on the surface of the bridge at a distance
of each 3m from centre to centre of supports of the bridge and the sensor is 12 in number and
the sensor are placed in a one line and in a staggered pattern at 12 location along with that left
6.35 m on each side.
(b) Excitation: Wait for the heavy vehicles to pass the bridge for the collection of acceleration
data.
(c) Measure the response: With the help of sensor connect application we will connect the
sensors to the base stations and verify the strength of the network. Now we will on
transversely channel for measurement of vertical acceleration of the bridge for each sensor.
(d) Data analysis: Perform Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the time-domain response data to
convert it into the frequency domain. From the frequency-domain plot, identify the peak
frequencies, which represent the natural frequencies of the beam in its different modes.

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5.Result and Discussion
The natural frequencies of the bridge were determined to be 4.19 Hz, 12.73 Hz, and 24.3 Hz.
These frequencies provide critical insights into the bridge's dynamic behaviour under external
loads. The identification of these frequencies helps engineers assess the potential for
resonance, which could amplify vibrations and cause structural damage. With this data,
effective damping systems can be designed to mitigate excessive vibrations, load distribution
can be optimized to prevent stress concentrations, and maintenance strategies can be
developed to prolong the bridge's lifespan. Ultimately, this experiment supports the
development of safer, more resilient bridges, contributing to sustainable infrastructure.

Sr no. Mode shape Natural frequency (Hz)

1. First mode 4.19

2. Second mode 12.73

3. Third mode 24.3

Table1. Result obtained for the bridge

Fig4.Mode shape(1st mode)

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 Fig5.Mode shape(2nd mode)

Fig6. FFT of natural Frequency

6.Conclusion
This experiment successfully determined the natural frequencies of the bridge as 4.19Hz,
12.73 Hz, and 24.3 Hz, providing critical insights into its dynamic behaviour. These
frequencies, intrinsic to the structure, define its response to dynamic forces such as traffic,
wind, and seismic activities. Knowledge of these parameters is vital for evaluating resonance
risks, where external forces could amplify vibrations and cause structural damage.
The experimental methodology involved deploying 12 tri-axial accelerometers across the
bridge in a staggered pattern to ensure comprehensive data collection. Real-world dynamic

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loads, such as heavy vehicle crossings, provided natural excitation. The vertical acceleration
data collected by the sensors were transmitted to a base station and analyzed using Fast
Fourier Transform (FFT). FFT effectively transformed time-domain data into frequency-
domain plots, highlighting peaks that corresponded to the bridge’s natural frequencies.
This analysis underscores the importance of identifying natural frequencies in bridge
engineering. The data informs the design of vibration mitigation systems, such as tuned mass
dampers, to reduce resonance risks. It also enables optimized load distribution, minimizing
stress concentrations and delaying structural wear and tear.
The experiment validated the efficacy of sensor placement, network connectivity, and FFT for
identifying critical dynamic characteristics. By simulating realistic loading conditions, the
study provided actionable insights into the bridge’s operational behaviour.
In practical terms, these findings contribute to safer, more resilient bridge structures. Tailored
maintenance strategies can be developed to address specific dynamic responses, extending
the bridge’s service life. Furthermore, the insights gained support the design of robust
systems to mitigate vibrations, ensuring structural integrity and enhancing public safety.
In summary, the integration of advanced instrumentation, real-world testing, and robust
analysis techniques demonstrates a comprehensive approach to dynamic bridge evaluation,
advancing sustainable infrastructure and promoting safety.

7.References
• Dynamics of Structures - A K Chopra for dynamics analysis.

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