Experimental investigation of Reykjavik city footbridge

This study describes experimental investigation of a 160 m long footbridge in Reykjavik. The bridge is a continuous post tensioned concrete beam spanning eight spans, the longest being 27.1 m. In plan, the structure has eye-catching spiral shape. Modal testing of the structure was conducted to identify its dynamic properties.

As many as seven modes of vibration were identified in the low-frequency region up to 5 Hz. After this a series of controlled tests involving up to 38 test subjects were performed. These were designed to test vibration performance of the footbridge under various loading scenarios such as: single person either walking or jumping, group of people walking, jogging or jumping and stream of pedestrians.

The severity of vibration responses of the bridge for different scenarios was then evaluated against vibration serviceability criteria defined in a guideline. It was found that the vibration performance of the bridge is quite satisfactory for wide range of loading conditions. ©2010 Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc.