Measurement of human-induced vibrations on a lively footbridge by microwave remote sensing

The paper describes the main results of the serviceability assessment of a lively suspension footbridge. The dynamic investigation involved both operational modal testing and measurement of the structural response under the crossing of the footbridge by different groups of pedestrians. During the walking and running tests, conventional accelerometers and microwave remote sensing were simultaneously used and the two measurement techniques turned out to produce an excellent agreement in terms of both velocity and acceleration time series and clear evidence of the comfort criteria threshold being exceeded.