AN ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUSPENSION BRIDGE BY AMBIENT VIBRATION MEASUREMENTS

Extensive experimental investigations were conducted on the Vincent-Thomas Suspension Bridge at Los Angeles Harbor to determine natural frequencies and mode shapes of vertical, torsional and lateral vibrations of the structure. These ambient vibration tests involved the simultaneous measurements of both vertical and lateral vibrational motions caused by traffic. Measurements were made at selected points on different cross sections of the stiffening structure. Comparison with previously computed mode shapes and frequencies shows good agreement with the experimental results, thus confirming both the accuracy of the experimental determination and the reliability of the method of computation.

• Corporate Authors:

  California Institute of Technology

  Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory
  Pasadena, CA  United States  91125

  National Science Foundation

  1800 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Abdel-Ghaffar, A M
  • Housner, G W
• Publication Date: 1977-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 86 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Damping (Physics); Dynamic loads; Dynamic structural analysis; Dynamics; Earthquake resistant structures; Environment; Highway traffic; Measurement; Suspension bridges; Vibration; Vibration tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic characteristics; Dynamic response
• Geographic Terms: California
• Old TRIS Terms: Ambience; Traffic vibrations; Vehicular traffic; Vibrational testing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00174690
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EERL-77-01
• Contract Numbers: NSF-ATA74-19135
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM