Damping Characteristics of the Old Tacoma Narrows Bridge due to Dissipation Energy

Abstract

In this paper, the damping characteristics of the Old Tacoma Narrows Bridge which was collapsed in 1940 by wind is discussed based on the energy evaluation method. The damping values of the destroyed bridge are analyzed to grasp the contribution of dissipation energy from each construction components of the bridge. The structural damping is also discussed by using loss factors of the steel bridge which was identified by full scale measurements. From these calculation results, some pieces of useful information for the damping characteristics are obtained to reconsider the aerodynamic stability of the Old Tacoma Narrows Bridge.