Study on impact absorbing momentum exchanging damper for suppression of road bridge vibration

Abstract

It was found from field measurements on the road bridge that the vibration occurred when a large lorry passed the expansion joints. The dominant frequency was 13.3Hz and lasted for about 1.5 sec. There were observed other peaks at 40Hz and 80Hz. A new type of damper, the impact absorbing momentum exchanging damper, has been proposed to suppress the vibration occurred at the expansion joints. Parametric studies were conducted using a model consisting of the damper and the concrete deck which was impacted by free-fall weights. The model tests show that the new damper is feasible and effective in reducing the vibration amplitude.