Dynamic Analysis of Suspension Bridges and Full Scale Testing

Abstract

The first part of the study deals with an iteration scheme for the nonlinear static analysis of suspension bridges by means of tangent stiffness matrices. The concept of tangent stiffness matrix is then introduced in the frequency equation governing the free vibration of the system. At any equilibrium stage, the vibrations are assumed to take place tangent to the curve representing the force-deflection characteristics of the structure. The bridge is idealized as a three dimensional lumped mass system and subjected to three orthogonal components of earthquake ground motion producing horizontal, vertical and torsional oscillations. For purposes of illustration the results of analytical and experimental analyses for the Istanbul Bogazici Bridge have been presented. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.