Analytical Study of Vertical and Torsional Free Vibration of Cable Supported Bridge Decks

Abstract

The superposition method is employed to obtain an analytical type solution for the free vibration of cable supported bridge decks. Each pair of vertical elastic cables is considered to impart a vertical force to the deck by means of a rigid cross-member passing transversely beneath it. Rigid knife-edge support encountered at bridge towers is handled as well. In this introductory study the deck is treated as a thin isotropic plate. Any number of support cable pairs, of any stiffness, may be handled. Inter cross-member distances are referred to as spans. Free vibration eigenvalues and mode shapes are presented for three and four span illustrative cases.