Dynamic Analysis of the Skyway Bridge : Assessment and Application of Design Guidelines

Abstract: In recent years the design of pedestrian bridges has become more slender. As a result the bridges has lower natural frequencies and are more prone to excessive vibrations when subjected to dynamic loads induced by pedestrians. Akademiska Hus are building such a bridge at Nya Karolinska Solna where the bridge will span over Solnavägenconnecting the hospital building, U2, and the research facility BioMedicum. Due to practical reasons, it is not possible to connect one of the bridge ends mechanicallyto the building which increases the risk for lateral modes in the sensitivefrequency range of 0-2.5 Hz. The increased risk of lateral modes of vibrations within the sensitive frequency range as well uncertainties when determining the dynamic response led to this thesis. This thesis covers a frequency analysis of the previously mention bridge and an evaluation of the dynamic response under pedestrian loading by implementation of several design guidelines. A literature review was conducted with the aim of giving a deeper knowledge of human induced vibrations and the relevant guidelines for modelling of pedestrian loading. Furthermore, a parametric study was conducted for parameters which might be prone to uncertainties in data. The investigated parameters were the Young’s modulus for concrete and the surrounding fill materialas well as the stiffness of the connection to BioMedicum. The parametric study yielded a frequency range of 2.20-2.93 Hz for the first lateral mode and 5.96-6.67 Hz for the first vertical mode of vibration. By including nonstructural mass the lower limit for the frequencies were lowered to 2.05 and 5.59 Hzin the first lateral and vertical mode respectively. The parametric study also showed that the largest impact on the natural frequencies were obtained by manipulating the parameters for the supports, both for BioMedicum and the substructure. The implementation of the guidelines resulted in a lateral acceleration between 0.05 and0.599 m/s2. No evaluation was conducted for the dynamic response in the vertical direction due to a natural frequency of 5.59 Hz, which is higher than the evaluation criteria stated in Eurocode 0. The results showed that the design of the Skyway bridge is dynamically sound with regard to pedestrian loading and no remedial actions are necessary.