Implementation of a dynamic monitoring system at coimbra footbridge

Abstract

Coimbra footbridge is a new structure that connects both banks of Mondego River. Preliminary studies conducted during design stage indicated some vulnerability to vibrations induced by pedestrians, both for lateral and vertical directions. As result, it was decided to install Tuned Mass Dampers in 5 different sections of the deck, as well as a dynamic monitoring system to evaluate the vibration levels observed in the footbridge during a period of one year after construction. This paper describes the architecture of the monitoring system, the type of results permanently displayed in a web site specially developed for this application, and some additional software created with the purpose of analysing and reporting the information collected along periods of several months.