CABLE-SUPPORTED BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES: HEALTH AND SAFETY MONITORING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

This article describes innovative techniques, developed by Construction Technologies, Inc. (CTL), for rapid, accurate, reliable, practical non-invasive measurement of forces in the tension elements of bridges and other structures. These methods include: (1) experimental techniques to facilitate a rapid, cost-effective vibration measurement; and (2) an analytical methodology for accurate interpretation of the measured qualities to calculate the forces. The CTL research project had four general areas. A database of 19 cable-stayed bridges, mostly in the USA, was compiled, and contains detailed information about over 1600 cables. Analytical and experimental procedures were developed for accurate field measurement of stay-cable forces; this was the biggest challenge, which was met by introducing a unified finite-difference formulation for free vibration of cable elements. Field tests were done to measure the cable vibration frequencies and relate them to the cable forces, using simple equations; a non-contact laser vibrometer was used. Detection methodologies were developed for predicting damage to cable-stayed bridges, especially from rain and wind. Designs were collected for vibration suppression measures for stay cables. Very extensive inspection and damage evaluation is being applied to the Cochrane Bridge in the USA.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14665123
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Structural Engineers

  11 Upper Belgrave Street
  London,   United Kingdom  SW1X 8BH
• Authors:
  • Mehrabi, A
  • Corley, W G
• Publication Date: 2000-5-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 17-20
• Serial:
  • Structural Engineer
  • Volume: 78
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Institution of Structural Engineers
  • ISSN: 1466-5123

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Cable stayed bridges; Cables; Calculation; Force; Frequency (Electromagnetism); Lasers; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Measurement; Measuring instruments; Methodology; Research projects; Structures; Test procedures
• Geographic Terms: United States
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 6155: Apparatus (measuring); 3455: Bridge; 4530: Cable; 6464: Calculation; 3355: Engineering structure; 5421: Force; 6997: Frequency; 6772: Laser; 6473: Mathematical model; 6136: Measurement; 9102: Method; 8557: Research project; 3417: Stayed girder bridge; 6288: Test method; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00795158
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 7 2000 12:00AM