Abstract: The invention relates to a bridge exciter for inducing vibrations in railway or roadway bridges, which comprises a servo-hydraulic actuator connected to a wagon designed to transport the same over tracks or a road. The actuator generates a force by moving a variable-weight reaction mass guided by linear bearings. It comprises hydraulic equipment that enables direct transmission of the vibrations to the infrastructure, independent of the rolling gear of the wagon or the rubber-tired vehicle, via false wheels. The movement of the actuator piston is controlled by a computer allowing the actuator to apply general forces on a bridge or roadway that do not exceed the maximum acceptable displacement of the piston: harmonic, impulsive, and transient forces. The equipment is provided with the necessary load control elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bridge exciter for inducing vibrations in railway or roadway bridges, which comprises a servo-hydraulic actuator connected to a wagon designed to transport the same over tracks or a road. The actuator generates a force by moving a variable-weight reaction mass guided by linear bearings. It comprises hydraulic equipment that enables direct transmission of the vibrations to the infrastructure, independent of the rolling gear of the wagon or the rubber-tired vehicle, via false wheels. The movement of the actuator piston is controlled by a computer allowing the actuator to apply general forces on a bridge or roadway that do not exceed the maximum acceptable displacement of the piston: harmonic, impulsive, and transient forces. The equipment is provided with the necessary load control elements.