The paper titled “Bayesian nonlinear finite element model updating of a full-scale bridge-column using sequential Monte Carlo” led by PhD candidate Mukesh K. Ramancha from UC Sam Diego and co-authored by professor Astroza from UANDES and professors J.P. Conte, J.I. Restrepo, and Todd, M.D. received the “Best Paper Award in the discipline of Model Validation and Uncertainty Quantification” at IMAC 2020. This award is sponsored by Los Alamos Dynamics.

In this paper, a nonlinear FE model was calibrated using experimental data recorded from seismic tests conducted on a full-scale RC bridge pier tested at the UC San Diego shake table. The updating process was conducted using Sequential Monte Carlo methods.