A VARIABLE STIFFNESS AND DAMPING SYSTEM FOR BRIDGES

This paper describes a project designed to demonstrate a bridge vibration suppression system that requires no line power or pumps. The patented system in effect adds an automatically regulatable actuator to a bridge girder to provide optimized levels of stiffness and damping during the passage of trucks, in order to mitigate deflections and stress. Field test indicate that the system can increase the safe life of the bridge by over 80 years. The results also suggest that existing bridges outfitted with the new system can traffic much heavier trucks while still increasing the useful service life of bridges.

• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  Town Engineering Building
  Ames, IA  United States  50011-3232
• Authors:
  • Pattern, W N
  • Song, G
  • Sun, Jinlong
• Conference:
  • Practical Solutions for Bridge Strengthening and Rehabilitation BSAR II
  • Location: Kansas City, Missouri
  • Date: 1997-3-24 to 1997-3-25
• Publication Date: 1997-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 229-233

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Damping (Engineering); Deflection; Girders; Heavy duty trucks; Pumps; Service life; Stiffness; Suppressors; Trucks; Vibration; Weight
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Motor Carriers; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00802433
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 29 2000 12:00AM