Importance of static correction and damping in the analysis of a cable-stayed bridge subjected to displacement loading

Abstract

Cable-stayed bridges with long spans are excited by different support vibrations on both sides of the main span. Therefore, a realistic seismic structural analysis of the bridge must involve multiple-support excitation. The dynamic equation of motion, in which all degrees of freedom are solved at once, can be solved directly. A modal analysis might also be possible, but care must be taken with the number of modes used in the analysis. If the ground motion is described in terms of displacement and velocity, which is referred to as displacement loading, then a static correction that will account for the unconsidered higher modes must be performed. In this study, the procedure of multiple-support excitation through the use of modal transformation is explained in detail. The effects of changes in damping levels that affect the analysis results are investigated by using the static correction method in displacement loading. An example is given to illustrate the mentioned problem by using a finite-element model of the cable-stayed Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.