Experimental Testing of a Moving Force Identification Bridge Weigh-in-Motion Algorithm

Bridge weigh-in-motion systems are based on the measurement of strain on a bridge and the use of the measurements to estimate the static weights of passing traffic loads. Traditionally, commercial systems employ a static algorithm and use the bridge influence line to infer static axle weights. This paper describes the experimental testing of an algorithm based on moving force identification theory. In this approach the bridge is dynamically modeled using the finite element method and an eigenvalue reduction technique is employed to reduce the dimension of the system. The inverse problem of finding the applied forces from measured responses is then formulated as a least squares problem with Tikhonov regularization. The optimal regularization parameter is solved using the L-curve method. Finally, the static axle loads, impact factors and truck frequencies are obtained from a complete time history of the identified moving forces.