Real-time hybrid testing for efficiency assessment of magnetorheological dampers to mitigate train-induced vibrations in bridges

The dynamic response of railway bridges is important to consider, as the high velocity loading from the trains increases the risk of resonance. Increasing train speeds and loads result in a need for adaptable properties for railway bridges. One solution is to install magnetorheological dampers, as the response of the structure originating from moving loads could be controlled by alternating the input current to the damper. However, the complexity of such devices results in difficulties to accurately model their behaviour. From this context, real-time hybrid simulations, consisting of a numerical bridge model and a full-scale physical magnetorheological damper in a test frame, are presented in this paper. The novelty of the present paper is the application of RTHS in railway bridge engineering and the substructure combination with magnetorheological dampers. The results from the real-time hybrid simulations show that the bridge deck responses can be reduced to permissible levels.