Analytical estimation of structural damping in cable structures

Abstract The analytical estimation of structural damping in single suspended cables and cable systems is studied in the present paper. The nonlinear finite element analysis is conducted for the accurate evaluation of the dynamic strain in oscillating cables, which is essential for the estimation of structural damping. It is found through the analysis that the dynamic strain amplitude defined on the basis of the nonlinear strain has good correlation with the modal damping of single cables. A cable-tie system in cable-stayed bridges is also analyzed as an example of cable structures and the damping performance of cross ties in stay cables is discused.