Abstract

In this study, both ambient and earthquake data measured from the Bill Emerson Memorial Cable-stayed Bridge are reported and analyzed. Based on the seismic instrumentation data, the vibration characteristics of the bridge are investigated and used to validate a three-dimensional Finite Element (3-D FE) model of the bridge structure. The 3-D model is rigorous and comprehensive, representing realistic dynamic behaviors of the bridge. It takes into account the geometric nonlinear properties caused by cable sagging and soil-foundation-structure interaction in the Illinois approach of the bridge. The FE model is successfully verified and validated by using the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the bridge extracted from the measured data. With the calibrated model, time history analyses were performed to assess the condition of the bridge structure under a postulated design earthquake. Since the FE model is developed according to as-built drawings, the calibrated model can be used as a benchmark for safety evaluation and health monitoring of the cable-stayed bridge in the future.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Missouri Department of Transportation

Comments

Missouri Department of Transportation Grant No. RI05-023

Keywords and Phrases

Cable-stayed bridge; finite element model; modal analysis; cable sagging effect; seismic excitation

Report Number

OR08-003

Document Type

Technical Report

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2007 University of Missouri - Rolla, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Sep 2007

Share

 
COinS