DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF CABLE STAYED BRIDGES

A procedure is described for analyzing a cable stayed bridge subjected to dynamic loads. The procedure considers nonlinear behavior of both the cables, due to changing sag, and the towers and girders, due to the interaction of axial and bending deformations. it is concluded that the nonlinearity of the structure must be considered in determining the stiffness of the structure in the dead load state; however, a linear dynamic analysis from the dead load state will give results well within normally required design accuracy. Damping in the structure should be considered.