Full-bridge Aero-elastic Model Wind-tunnel Tests for Long-span Cable Stayed Bridge with Viscous Dampers

Wind resistance and seismic design are two important elements in structure design of long span cable stayed bridge. This paper evaluated the wind-resistant impacts of using viscous dampers on long span cable stayed bridge. The research team applied wind tunnel test on the northern channel bridge of Hangzhou Bay Bridge and found that viscous dampers does have a very minor damping effect on the vertical buffeting displacement of mid-span of the girder on cable-stayed bridge. The study also showed that optimizing parameters of the dampers could slightly improve the ability of dampers controlling the wind-induced vibration. Therefore, the bridge seismic design and wind-resistant design can be carried out separately, without considering the impact of the dampers which dissipate earthquake energy when designing long span cable stayed bridges.