Assessing the impact of deterioration on steel bridges with tuned mass dampers

Aesthetics and material savings often lead to slender bridge designs. However, increased slenderness raises concerns about bridge stiffness, as vibrations increase, and can cause structural damage and user discomfort. Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are effective in mitigating these vibrations, provided they remain aligned with the bridge’s dynamic characteristics. Over time, material degradation and shifts in vibration frequencies can disrupt this alignment, compromising TMD performance and elevating risks to structural integrity. This study investigates the impact of material deterioration on the alignment between a bridge and its TMD. The proposed methodology includes the model generation, calibration, updating, and alignment analysis. The F35 Tubantiasingel bridge in the Netherlands is analysed as a case study, with models calibrated at different stages: pre- and post-TMD installation, and after the bridge’s placement in its permanent location. Vibration parameters accounting for deterioration-induced changes are evaluated. Findings reveal that shifts in the bridge’s natural frequencies lead to TMD detuning, impairing damping efficiency and amplifying vibrations. These changes can exacerbate structural degradation and increase user discomfort. The study underscores the critical need for ongoing TMD maintenance aligned with the bridge’s evolving condition to ensure optimal performance and prolong the structure’s service life.