Dynamic performance evaluation of straight and curved cable-stayed bridges

Abstract

Cable-stayed bridges with straight and curved deck geometry are studied for their free vibration response. A study on cable-stayed bridges with a single pylon with equal side spans is presented in this paper. Three-dimensional geometries of cable-stayed bridges with spans 120–240 m, A-shaped and H-shaped pylon are numerically investigated using FEM software ANSYS. Further response of straight bridges under El Centro earthquake loading is presented using dynamic time history analysis and the results are studied for different geometries. The effect of induced curvature in decks introduces coupling of different modes even at their initial phases whereas the modes are quite distinct in straight bridges. Under El Centro load time history bending stress, shear stress distribution in decks is studied for different geometries of straight bridges which gives the typical behaviour pattern of load sharing among the components of the cable-stayed bridge.

Keywords:

• cable-stayed bridge
• curved geometry
• dynamic analysis
• finite element method