Modelling of Nieporęt Bridge
In order to identify the appropriate instrumentation strategy for the development of a rail Bridge-WIM system, a number of simulations were carried out. In this regard, a finite element model of the bridge was developed.
The model was created using the Midas finite element software package. The bridge was modelled using beam elements with full fixity at the node points. The design drawings for the bridge were used to set up the geometry and to calculate the section properties of each of the members. The boundary conditions were modelled to match the restraint provided by the actual bearings on the bridge, which were typical of a simply supported structure.
Using the model, influence lines for potential measuring locations could be exported to Matlab. Within Matlab, different train configurations could then be generated and incrementally run across the influence lines, with the resulting (static) time history of the signal being recorded.
