Simplified Calculation Method for Fundamental Period of Floating Cable

Stayed Bridge

Introduction

The design of cable-stayed

stayed bridge is governed by the dynamic response. The accurate prediction of the
response of a structure subjected to an ambient excitation requires the information of the dynamic
properties of the structure including fundamental frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes. The
free vibration frequency can be determined by finite element modeling but the method is time
consuming and requires frequent remodeling due to the change in the parameter of the structure. A
simplified formula to calculate longitudinal fundamental period of the structure has been developed by
author using Rigidity-based
based method and Rayleigh Method based on Reverse double mass model.

Transfer Path of Seismic Inertia Forces

The studied bridges have a conventional configuration with two concrete towers and a composite
deck. The structure is symmetric in transverse and longitudinal directions. The horizontal seismic forces
aree transferred from the main girder and bridge floor to the top of the pylon through stay-cables.
stay

Reverse Double Mass Model – Rigidity

Rigidity-based Method

A reverse double mass model is based on transfer path of horizontal seismic inertia forces of the main
girder and bridge floor system of floating cable stayed bridge under longitudinal seismic effects. In this
model the bottom of the tower is fixed and the girder is rotatable about the top of the tower, which
can be regarded as simple pendulum.

Fig. 1 Reverse Double Mass Model

Name – Hunny Verma

Roll No. – 17SE06004
School of Infrastructure
IIT Bhubaneswar Page 1
 Simplified Calculation Method for Fundamental Period of Floating Cable
Stayed Bridge

The equivalent swing rigidity of the main girder can be obtained as:

𝑚 𝑔 𝜌𝑔ℎ𝐼 1
𝐾 = +
𝑙 𝑙

The frequency of reverse double mass model for undamped condition is:

[𝑲] − 𝜔 𝑴𝒇 = 𝟎 2

The solution of equation 2 gives the longitudinal natural frequency and time period, T f of the cable
stayed bridge.
Rayleigh Model

Rayleigh Model is based on principle of conservation of energy. If no damping is there, the energy in a
freely vibrating system must remain constant. At the position maximum amplitude, the kinetic energy
is zero, while the potential energy has reached its maximum value. Similarly, at the position of
equilibrium, the potential energy vanishes and the kinetic energy is of the maximum value.

By equating maximum potential energy to the maximum kinetic energy, natural frequency is obtained
as:

Conclusion

The accuracy of the proposed analytical expressions was verified by ten real cable-stayed bridges. The
maximum errors of ten cable-stayed bridges calculated by the reverse double-mass model based on
the rigidity-based method and Rayleigh method were 3.4% and 10.79%, respectively. The reliability and
precision of the formula based on the rigidity-based method with reverse double-mass model were
more favorable than those of the formula based on Rayleigh method. Therefore, the reverse double-
mass model proposed in this study could be used to calculate the longitudinal fundamental period and
evaluate the seismic response of floating cable-stayed bridge.

Reference:

Zhang, W., Chen, Y., Kou, W., Du, X. (2017). “Simplified calculation method for cable-stayed bridge”,
Journal of Applied Mechanics, Springer, DOI 10.1007/s00419-017-1311-4
Name – Hunny Verma
Roll No. – 17SE06004
School of Infrastructure
IIT Bhubaneswar Page 2