Techniques for bending stiffness system identification for RC-structures

Within the research project AIFIT – user oriented identification for engineering structures – various methods for system identification were developed, which have been analyzed regarding their capability for the assessment of stiffness distributions. Following several publications about this project, this contribution will focus on present studies concerning the application of these methods to a real structure, following the claim of the project for user oriented identification methods. For this purpose the experiences gained in laboratory tests have been realized in the field while considering an application of system identification as practical as possible. For this a representative structure was analyzed and its dynamic and quasi static behavior recorded. In this way obtained information about the stiffness distribution of the structure shall provide finally a support for the inspection and maintenance planning of the bridge structure