Longitudinal seismic responses of a cable-stayed bridge based on shaking table tests of a half-bridge scale model

Abstract

This article studies the seismic response of a symmetric long-span cable-stayed bridge under longitudinal uniform excitations by finite element analysis and shaking table tests. The feasibility and method of performing shaking table tests are examined using a simplified half-bridge scale model. By taking advantage of the symmetry, it is possible to construct a scale model with a larger scale ratio than a full-bridge scale model. The main components of the scale model (i.e. tower, piers, girder, and cables) were fabricated using the same or similar materials as in the prototype. The design and construction of the scale model is presented. Longitudinal structural responses obtained from the finite element analysis and shaking table tests are compared. The seismic mitigation effects of viscous dampers are examined through shaking table tests.