Modelling framework of pedestrian-footbridge interaction in vertical direction

This study presents a modelling framework of human-structure interaction in the vertical direction, which integrates the three following key issues: crowd dynamics, pedestrian-structure interaction (PSI) and inter-subject and intra-subject variability of pedestrian walking loads. The framework comprises two main models: a microscopic model of crowd dynamics and a coupled dynamic model of the PSI. The latter is composed of three sub-models: a SDOF system having the dynamic properties of the empty structure, a SDOF system for each pedestrian and a stochastic force model. Each pedestrian SDOF moves along the footbridge following the trajectory and at the velocity simulated by the crowd model and is accompanied by a stochastic walking force time-history that accounts for inter- and intra-subject variability. Performance of the suggested modelling framework is studied through simulations of the vibration responses of four virtual footbridges due to different traffic scenarios.