TY - CHAP A1 - Baeßler, Matthias A1 - Cuéllar, Pablo A1 - Victor, A. A1 - Lüddecke, F. ED - Triantafyllidis, T. T1 - Stability and large deformations of slender structures supported by soil materials N2 - The stability and geometric nonlinearities of slender structures are a major topic in structural design. While this topic is most relevant in the field of Structural Engineering, e.g. for steel or concrete structures, only few applications take the role of soil-structure-interaction explicitly into account. The focus of this paper is placed on the impact of soil support and its modelling for the buckling analysis based on examples both for pile foundations and for railway track stability. The general interaction between steel design and the geotechnical input will be addressed. The paper discusses and summarizes a range of subtopics based on experience and current research at the author’s institute. KW - Buckling soil-structure-interaction offshore piles track PY - 2020 SN - 978-3-030-28515-9 SN - 978-3-030-28516-6 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28516-6 SN - 1613-7736 SN - 1860-0816 VL - 91 SP - 355 EP - 369 PB - Springer CY - Cham, Switzerland AN - OPUS4-49166 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Baeßler, Matthias A1 - Simon, Patrick T1 - Ballasted track on vibrating bridge decks: physical mechanisms, empirical findings, and a proposal for assessment N2 - This paper summarizes the key findings and physical mechanisms and provides information on open questions and the assessment of railway bridge superstructure vibrations. Bridges are classic disruption points on a railway track. If bridge superstructures are dynamically excited by train traffic, the vertical accelerations of the track must be considered. For a ballasted track, this can lead to the destabilization of the ballast track, as the bridge superstructure acts like a vibrating table. In this respect, the paper explains in more detail what is meant by destabilization, when this destabilization occurs and how various influencing parameters such as acceleration amplitude, the vibration sequence and frequency affect its occurrence. In the InBridge4EU project, gaps in knowledge such as the effect of single impulse loads are being investigated experimentally. A new test facility has been set up for this purpose, the initial results of which are presented here. An essential element in the assessment of this scenario is the stability of the track under high compression forces with simultaneous dynamic excitation of the superstructure. A new approach for the assessment of bridge vibrations with respect to lateral stability is presented. KW - Railway bridge dynamics KW - Bridge deck acceleration KW - Ballast destabilization KW - Lateral track stability KW - Track buckling PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-630972 DO - https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219455425400243 SN - 0219-4554 SN - 1793-6764 IS - 2540024 SP - 1 EP - 27 PB - World Scientific CY - Singapore AN - OPUS4-63097 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Baeßler, Matthias A1 - Simon, Patrick ED - Cunha, Álvaro ED - Caetano, Elsa T1 - Review of Ballasted Track Destabilization on Shake Table Tests N2 - Shake table tests have been used for a long time to understand the densification and fluidization of granular materials. While purely vertical shaking is quite unlikely to be found in vibration analysis when it comes to granular materials as soils, it has been found that the vertical vibration of railway bridge support structures can affect the fabric of the ballasted track on top. Starting from the experience at French railway lines with destabilizing track conditions on short bridges in high speed lines in the 1990s, various shake table test configurations have been used to investigate the destabiliza-tion of ballast at high acceleration levels. This article describes the effects of the variously investigated dynamic excitations of railway bridges on the bal-lasted track itself. T2 - 11th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES 2025) CY - Porto, Portugal DA - 02.07.2025 KW - Infrastructure KW - Ballasted track KW - Ballast KW - Railway bridge dynamics PY - 2025 SN - 978-3-031-96105-2 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96106-9_62 SP - 595 EP - 604 PB - Springer CY - Cham AN - OPUS4-64265 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Balscheit, Hagen A1 - Geißler, Peter A1 - Cuéllar, Pablo A1 - Basedau, Frank A1 - Baeßler, Matthias T1 - Large-scale field tests on plastic pile tip failure upon monopile installation N2 - Large-diameter monopiles are the most common foundation structures for offshore wind turbines. One relevant failure mode during installation is plastic failure of the pile tip which may increase progressively during further driving (pile tip buckling; extrusion buckling). This paper presents the details and results of a large-scale field-test campaign with dynamic pile installation for the validation and calibration of different numerical approaches concerning pile-tip buckling phenomena. The phenomenology of observed pile-tip failures is here described in detail and a first quantitative approach is evaluated based on the field-test data. As the number of new projects continues to grow and the necessity to construct wind farms in challenging terrain increases, such field data-sets will become increasingly relevant. KW - Monopile KW - Offshore Windenergy KW - Pfahlfußbeulen KW - Pile Tip Buckling KW - Reference Tests PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-611651 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.119322 VL - 313 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-61165 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Eichner, Lukas A1 - Schneider, Ronald A1 - Baeßler, Matthias T1 - Optimal vibration sensor placement for jacket support structures of offshore wind turbines based on value of information analysis N2 - Information on the condition and reliability of an offshore jacket structure provided by a vibration-based structural health monitoring system can guide decisions on inspection and maintenance. When selecting the sensor setup, the designer of the monitoring system must assess its overall benefit compared to its costs before installation. The potential benefit of continuously monitoring the dynamic response of a jacket structure can be formally quantified through a value of information analysis from Bayesian decision theory. In this contribution, we present a framework for optimizing the placement of vibration sensors on offshore jacket structures by maximizing the value of information of the monitoring system. To solve the resulting discrete optimization problem, we adapt a genetic algorithm. The framework is demonstrated in a numerical example considering a redundant jacket-type steel frame. The numerical study shows that monitoring the vibration response of the frame is beneficial. Good sensor setups consist of relatively few sensors located towards the upper part of the frame. The adapted genetic algorithm performs similarly well as established sequential sensor placement algorithms and holds substantial promise for application to real jacket structures. KW - Optimal sensor placement KW - Value of information KW - Jacket support structure KW - Offshore wind turbine KW - Monitoring-informed inspection and maintenance planning PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.115407 SN - 0029-8018 VL - 288 IS - 2 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-58725 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Gerards-Wünsche, Paul A1 - Ratkovac, Mirjana A1 - Schneider, Ronald A1 - Hille, Falk A1 - Baeßler, Matthias T1 - A framework for assessing the reliability of crack luminescence – an automated fatigue crack detection system N2 - The new crack luminescence method offers the possibility of making fatigue surface cracks in metallic materials more visible during inspections through a special coating system. This coating system consists of two layers, whereby the first layer has fluorescent properties and emits visible light as soon as it is irradiated by UV light. The top layer is black and is designed to prevent the fluorescent layer from emitting if no crack develops in the underlying material. The technique proved particularly useful in a wide variety of fatigue tests of steel components under laboratory conditions. Moreover, it has the potential to be used in various industrial applications. To enable industrial deployment and integration into maintenance strategies, a concept study is developed in this contribution, resulting in a qualification framework that can serve as a foundation for determining the reliability of the crack luminescence system in terms of a probability of detection curve. Within this study, factors causing measurement variability and uncertainty are being determined and their influences assessed. Due to the extension of the system by a moving computer vision system for automated crack detection using artificial intelligence, additional long-term effects associated with structural health monitoring systems need to be incorporated into an extended probability of detection study as part of the technical justification. Finally, important aspects and findings related to design of experiments are discussed, and a framework for reliability assessment of a new optical crack monitoring method is presented, emphasizing the influence of various uncertainty parameters, including long-term effects such as system ageing. T2 - SPIE Conference Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation 2023 CY - Long Beach, CA, USA DA - 24.03.2023 KW - Structural Health Monitoring KW - Non-Destructive Evaluation KW - Probability of Detection KW - Reliability KW - Artificial Intelligence KW - Computer Vision KW - Crack Luminescence KW - Wind PY - 2023 SN - 978-1-5106-6086-1 DO - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2658390 SP - 1 EP - 15 AN - OPUS4-57244 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Hille, Falk A1 - Schneider, Ronald A1 - Simon, Patrick A1 - Herrmann, Ralf A1 - Baeßler, Matthias ED - Döhler, Michael ED - Mélot, Adrien ED - Aenlle Lopez, Manuel T1 - System identification and model calibration of a steel road bridge N2 - The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), in cooperation with the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), is working on a framework for integrating frequently updated structural models into an asset management process for bridge structures. A multi-span steel road bridge was selected as a test case for the development of this framework. In order for the structural model to represent the real behavior of the bridge with sufficient accuracy, model calibration is required. In this case, we have planned to calibrate the model based on the dynamic response of the bridge. To determine its dynamic properties, a multi-setup operational modal analysis was performed on one of the bridge spans. In parallel, a structural model of the span was developed based on the available design and service life information. Both eigenfrequencies and mode shapes were used as reference parameters to calibrate the model. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most influential design parameters. Subsequently, a genetic algorithm was applied for minimizing the difference between measured and simulated characteristic responses. In the proposed paper, we summarize the measurements as well as the determination of the modal response of the bridge and describe the process of calibration of the structural model using the identified dynamic response. T2 - 11th International Operational Modal Analysis Conference (IOMAC 2025) CY - Rennes, France DA - 20.05.2025 KW - Bridge structure KW - Operational modal analysis KW - Model calibration PY - 2025 SN - 978-84-09-75120-4 SP - 114 EP - 121 PB - International Group of Operational Modal Analysis CY - Gijón, Spain AN - OPUS4-64416 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hüsken, Götz A1 - Shamsuddoha, Md A1 - Pirskawetz, Stephan A1 - Hofmann, Detlef A1 - Baeßler, Matthias A1 - Kühne, Hans-Carsten T1 - Potential of a Repair System for Grouted Connections in Offshore Structures: Development and Experimental Verification N2 - Grouted connections are intensively used in offshore rigs, platforms as well as jacket and monopile offshore wind turbine structures. Being located in remote offshore conditions, these connections can experience considerable adverse loading during their lifetimes. Degradation was reported inside similar connections, which were installed in the last three decades. Grouting in the offshore sites may often be proven difficult, which eventually leads to reduced load-bearing capacity of connections in the long run. Thus, repair and rehabilitation of such connections should be planned ahead to minimize operational delays and costs. In this study, scaled grouted connections were manufactured using a novel mould, whose integrity were monitored using digital image correlation (DIC). The connections were loaded under static load to visualize the main failure pattern using distributed fibre optic sensors and acoustic emission (AE) analysis. Grouted connections were then repaired using a cementitious injectable grout. The effectiveness of the grout injection was monitored using dye penetration technique. Finally, specimens are reloaded to identify the potential of such repair for grouted connections. KW - Offshore KW - Grouted connection KW - Fibre optic sensors KW - Acoustic emission analysis KW - Cracks KW - Repair KW - Rehabilitation KW - Static loading PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marstruc.2021.102934 VL - 77 SP - 102934 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-52059 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Ronald A1 - Simon, Patrick A1 - Hille, Falk A1 - Herrmann, Ralf A1 - Baeßler, Matthias T1 - Vibration-based system identification of a large steel box girder bridge N2 - The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) collaborates with TNO to develop a software framework for automated calibration of structural models based on monitoring data. The ultimate goal is to include such models in the asset management process of engineering structures. As a basis for developing the framework, a multi-span road bridge consisting of ten simply supported steel box girders was selected as a test case. Our group measured output-only vibration data from one box girder under ambient conditions. From the data, we determined eigenfrequencies and mode shapes. In parallel, we developed a preliminary structural model of the box girder for the purpose of predicting its modal properties. In this contribution, we provide an overview of the measurement campaign, the operational modal analysis, the structural modeling and qualitatively compare the identified with the predicted modes. As an outlook, we discuss the further steps in the calibration process and future applications of the calibrated model. T2 - XII International Conference on Structural Dynamics (EURODYN 2023) CY - Delft, The Netherlands DA - 02.07.2023 KW - Verkehrsinfrastukturen KW - SHM KW - Model updating KW - System identification KW - Operational modal analysis PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-605041 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2647/18/182039 SN - 1742-6596 VL - 2647 IS - 18 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - IOP Publishing CY - Bristol AN - OPUS4-60504 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Simon, Patrick A1 - Baeßler, Matthias ED - Cunha, Álvaro ED - Caetano, Elsa T1 - On the reassessment of bridge superstructure vibrations for high-speed traffic N2 - The acceleration thresholds of bridge superstructures remain critical for designing and reassessing railway bridges on high-speed lines, with ballasted track systems historically limited to 3.5 m/s2 vertical accelerations due to destabilization risks. As part of the European InBridge4EU project, this study addresses methodological uncertainties in linking vertical bridge vibrations to lateral track creep—a key focus area for modernizing assessment protocols. A comparative analysis of two acceleration postprocessing methods (peak identification vs. fatigue-derived rainflow counting) as part of a recently proposed framework was conducted using an example bridge and train combination. Results demonstrate that rainflow counting yields more conservative creep estimates with the bulk of cumulative vibration-induced creep attributable to accelerations exceeding 3 m/s2. However, discretizing acceleration ranges into 1 m/s2 bins introduced significant errors compared to continuous cycle data, highlighting sensitivity to analysis parameters. These findings underscore the complexity of reconciling laboratory-derived harmonic vibration models with real-world bridge dynamics, where non-uniform acceleration patterns dominate. The research directly informs ongoing efforts to refine standardized criteria for ballasted track stability, particularly through the InBridge4EU project’s systematic re-evaluation of vibration limits and their engineering implications. By quantifying discrepancies between computational approaches, this work advances the development of robust protocols for predicting track degradation under high-speed operational loads. T2 - 11th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Enginering Structures (EVACES 2025) CY - Porto, Portugal DA - 02.07.2025 KW - Infrastructure KW - Railway bridges KW - Ballast destabilization KW - Acceleration limit KW - Ballasted track KW - Rainflow counting PY - 2025 SN - 978-3-031-96105-2 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96106-9_53 VL - 675 SP - 506 EP - 515 PB - Springer CY - Cham AN - OPUS4-64267 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -