Moving Load and Prestress Identification Using Wavelet-Based Method

A novel moving force and prestress identification method based on finite element and wavelet-based method for bridge-vehicle system is developed. A two-axle vehicle model and simple-supported beam with prestressing force are studied. Finite element method is flexible in modeling structures with complex boundaries while the wavelet-analysis method has the characteristic of multiresolution and the ability to detect abrupt changes. Both methods are used in this work to identify the moving loads and prestressing force from the “measured” bridge responses, which may be strain or acceleration. Numerical simulations demonstrate the efficiency of the method under the effects of measurement noise, road roughness, sampling rate, and the arrangement of sensors with good accuracy. Results indicate that the proposed method has the advantages of both high computational performance and fine identification resolution.