Impact of stochastic representations of pedestrian actions on serviceability response

Over the past 15 years, there have been some research outcomes in other disciplines that could be used to produce new, more accurate and realistic numerical models to characterise pedestrian loads and to significantly improve predictions of response for multiple-pedestrian scenarios. However, the disconnection between fields has not facilitated this further research. Using this, the paper presents (a) a new sophisticated load model that includes a description of vertical and lateral loads, including pedestrian–structure interaction, (b) the numerical description of relationships to describe the key parameters of the proposed model and (c) the evaluation of the effects of pedestrian characteristics that are relevant for serviceability response of footbridges. The proposed new load model allows for the inherent variability of individual pedestrian actions (intra-subject variability), a probabilistic description of how pedestrian characteristics vary among subjects (inter-subject variability) and collective human behaviour (pedestrian–pedestrian interaction). Some of these characteristics are not currently considered in design approaches and can have a substantial impact on structural response assessments. Finally, recommendations are made for many of these characteristics to be introduced in analyses to evaluate the vibration serviceability limit state of footbridges in a more accurate and realistic manner.