Analytical and numerical estimate of footbridges' maximum dynamic response to unrestricted pedestrian traffic

The assessment of footbridge vibrations due to normal unrestricted pedestrian traffic is a topical problem in the serviceability analysis of these structures. Based on a probabilistic model of the parameters involved, the authors of the present paper have analytically derived an equivalent spectral model for the loading induced by pedestrian groups, modeled as a stationary random process, and simple closed-form expressions for the evaluation of the mean value of the maximum dynamic response. This paper provides a complete assessment of the random walking parameters which mainly influence the serviceability analysis of footbridges, and a comparison between the analytical predictions provided by the simple expressions for the estimate of the maximum dynamic response and the results of Monte Carlo simulations.