Calculating static deformations from quick-release accelerograms

This paper outlines a new method for performing base line corrections on accelerograms generated by the quick-release dynamic testing method. These accelerograms are produced when highway bridges are subjected to dynamic excitations by initially deforming the bridge structure and subsequently quick-releasing the loads causing the deformation. This base line correction method is developed in such a way that the step function character of the quick-release base line is preserved. It is this feature which allows the static deformations of the structure to be recovered by integrating the accelerograms. The reliability of the method is demonstrated by a series of laboratory measurements comparing the displacement time series obtained by double integration to independently measured displacement responses. These laboratory comparisons indicate that the offset displacements are accurate to within about 5% on the average. The method was applied on accelerograms obtained during a quick-release full-scale test of the Meloland Road Overcrossing, and some examples of this application are presented.