Footbridges

These guidelines round up the state of current knowledge on dynamic behaviour of footbridges under pedestrian loading. An analytical methodology and recommendations are also proposed to guide the designer of a new footbridge when considering the resulting dynamic effects.

The methodology is based on the footbridge classification concept (as a function of traffic level) and on the required comfort level and relies on interpretation of results obtained from tests performed on the Solferino footbridge and on an experimental platform.

These guidelines are aimed at Owners, designers and engineers.

This document covers the following topics:

• a description of the dynamic phenomena specific to footbridges and identification of the parameters which have an impact on the dimensioning of such structures;
• a methodology for the dynamic analysis of footbridges based on a classification according to the traffic level;
• a presentation of the practical methods for calculation of natural frequencies and modes, as well as structural response to loading;
• recommendations for the drafting of design and construction documents.

Supplementary theoretical (reminder of structural dynamics, pedestrian load modelling) and practical (damping systems, examples of recent footbridges, typical calculations) data are also provided in the guideline appendices.