An Improved Direct Stiffness Calculation Technique for Damage Detection of Bending Structures

In this paper, a practical application for a continues beam-type bridge, the Truckee river bridge, California, to test the validity of the improved DSC method in the identification of the bridge damage after severe loading such as that caused by an earthquake was discussed. Comparing the calculated stiffness from the improved DSC method with that from design data of the bridge based on the numerical simulation with different damage scenarios in consideration of measurement errors, the location and severity of the damage in the bridge can be accurately and reliably detected. The pushover and seismic damage assessment analysis shows that the improved DSC is valid and efficient for damage detection in highway bridges.