SEISMIC ENERGY DISSIPATION FOR CABLE-STAYED BRIDGES USING PASSIVE DEVICES

This study assesses analytically the effectiveness, feasibility and limitations of elastic and hysteretic damping augmentation devices, such as elastomeric and lead-rubber bearings, with respect to the dynamic and seismic performance of cable-stayed bridges. This type of bridge, which has relatively greater flexibility, is more susceptible to undesirable vibrations due to service and environmental loadings than are conventional bridges. Therefore, damping is a very important property. Supplementary damping devices based on the plastic deformation of lead and steel are proposed at critical zones, such as the deck-abutment and deck-tower connections, to concentrate hysteretic behaviour in these specially designed energy absorbers. Inelastic behaviour in primary structural elements of the bridge can therefore be avoided, assuring the serviceability of these cable-supported bridges.