Dynamic analysis of a cable-stayed deck steel arch bridge

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental research work in relation to Barqueta cable-stayed bridge is described in this paper. Barqueta Bridge, across Guadalquivir river, links the city of Seville with the Scientific Park Cartuja 93. At jam hours cars may cover one half of the bridge lanes for more than one hour. Full-scale tests were carried out to measure the bridge dynamic response. The experimental program included the dynamic study for two different live load conditions: the bridge with one half of it lanes full of cars, and the bridge empty of cars. Modal parameters estimations were made based on the acquired data. Ten vibration modes were identified in the fre-quency range of 0-6 Hz by different techniques, being two of these modes very close to each other. The traffic-structure interaction is also studied. Experimental results were compared with those obtained from a three-dimensional finite element model developed in this work. Both sets of results show very good agreement. Finally, a damage identification technique has been applied to determine the integrity of the structure. Results obtained from a test developed in July 2005 have been correlated to experimental results obtained in October 2006 using the damage index method