Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge Modal Force Test
Project name: Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge Modal Force Test
Brief introduction: The Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge, a critical infrastructure project completed in 2011, stands as one of the largest and most ambitious bridge engineering achievements in China. Given its scale and importance in connecting key transportation routes, ensuring the structural safety and reliability of the bridge before opening to the public was of utmost priority.
To validate the design and performance, Tongji University carried out a comprehensive series of structural experiments, supported by Dynatronic’s advanced testing equipment. The objective was clear: confirm that the real-world dynamic response of the bridge matched its original design parameters and guarantee safe operation under expected loads.
Using Dynatronic’s DE5907A system, researchers performed modal experiments on the entire bridge, including the massive bridge towers. The modal test measured natural frequencies and vibration modes, providing a full picture of how the structure would behave under dynamic forces such as traffic loads, wind, and seismic activity. The test results confirmed that the bridge’s frequency and vibration types were consistent with the design specifications, validating the accuracy of the engineering model.
In addition to modal testing, the DE5906B system was deployed to measure the tension of the stay cables — one of the most critical components for bridge safety. The measured cable forces closely matched the calculated forces from the original design stage, proving that the structural integrity of the cables was within safe limits.
The outcome of these tests provided multiple benefits:
Verification of safety and reliability before the bridge entered service.
Confidence in design accuracy, ensuring that engineering assumptions were validated.
Reduced operational risk, supporting long-term structural health monitoring strategies.
Through this rigorous testing process, Dynatronic played a key role in verifying the safety and performance of the Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge. This project remains a strong example of how advanced modal and force testing ensures the durability and dependability of critical infrastructure.
