Realistic Parameters for the Simulation of a Suspension Bridge

Mrio Srgio Teixeira de Freitas

(CEFET - PR - Unidade de Curitiba) R. L. Viana (UFPR) C. Grebogi (IF-USP)
http://www.ct.cefetpr.br/

msergio@cefetpr.br

SUMMARY
1. Bridge Model as Piecewise-Linear Oscillator 2. Adopted Methodology for Simulating 3. Algebraic expressions for realistic parameters 4. Numerical data from real bridges 5. Results: Phase space outputs 6. Conclusion

1. Bridge Model as Piecewise-Linear Oscillator

basic structure of a suspension bridge includes...

* main cable, tower, anchorage block assumed as undeformable elements * deck preloaded, hinged elastic beam * hanger doesnt resist to compression efforts * wind flow induces periodical external forcing

... taking first flexional mode, bridge reduces to a single degree of freedom oscillator ...

... combined effects of preload with hanger and beam stiffnesses provides a piecewise-linear elastic curve

hanger stiffness: introduces nonlinearity preload: introduces potential well

2. Adopted Methodology for Simulating

Parameters * Inertia, Stiffnesses, Preload, Damping, Forcing Initial Conditions * Vertical Position, Vertical Velocity

dimensionless piecewise-linear differential equation

computational routine particular solutions phase space output PHYSICAL INTERPRETATION

3. Algebraic expressions for realistic parameters

terms on DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION represent vertical forces per unit of horizontal length... inertial term = + =

beam stiffness + hanger stiffness + + preload + + damping +

+ external forcing
http://www.brantacan.co.uk/suspension.htm

How to write down stiffness due to hangers

each pair of hangers behave like a one-sided spring...

k = equivalent stiffness of N springs (K) central span (L) equivalent stiffness = summation of N springs ( kj ) * spring length (c): function of horizontal coordinate (x) * bridge constants for calculus of K: hanger cross-sectional area (S) Young modulus (E) spacing between hangers (e)

...the whole summation can be approximated by an integral Cross-sectional area is uniformly distributed along central span Parabolic shape of main cable is assumed with arrow C * theory provides k= (E S)/(e C)

* numerical values of E, S, e, C: AVERAGE FROM TABLES OF REAL BRIDGES

Preload and Stiffness due to beam

bridge deck has proper weight and linear elastic response...

W (weight per unit lenght) I (moment of inertia) L (central span length)

* Preload W : explicitly taken from tables of real bridges * Beam mass per unit length: M= (W/g)/L * Beam stiffness (usually a steel truss) : depends on Moment of inertia of cross section I Young modulus E (both values are available in tables of real bridges)

Damping coefficient
energy dissipation is due to many factors ...

* viscous damping * structure inelasticity * friction at bearings , etc

numerical value () is obtained from experimental measures in equation, we assume damping term proportional to velocity

Forcing frequency and amplitude

wind flow induces a Von Krmn vortex street...

* frequency and mean force B (per unit length) depend on deck geometry, vortex spacing, vortex velocity, flow velocity (these values are obtained by results of computational simulation)

... simulation shows typical values of vortex spacing

z h d

(credits to MORGENTHAL G, M. Phil. Thesis, Cambridge UK, 2000)

Differential Equation
change of variables leads to dimensionless terms... new x-coordinate: x=1 for a full wavelenght at first flexional mode new t-coordinate: t=1 for a full natural period at first flexional mode
(beam without hangers)

...these allow new parameters to be also dimensionless transformation coefficients: beam total length, inertia and stiffness are mixed together

4. Numerical data from real bridges

parameters evaluation Golden Gate George Washington Forth San Francisco/Oakland Verrazano Narrows Original Tacoma AVERAGED VALUES W=327kN/m I=6.6 m4 L=1035m h=7.34m e=15m C=98m
ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE

k = 103 W = 103 = 101 = 102 B = 10-1

5. Results: Phase Space Outputs

structure of Poincar plot is revealed in hamiltonian case...

* sampled initial conditions: quasiperiodic tori around 4 coexisting resonances

...weak damping creates distinct basins of attraction...

* 4 coexisting attractors: regular motion (harmonic or sub-harmonic response)

...with realistic damping, multistability is more restrict ...

* 2 coexisting attractors: harmonic responses with widely different amplitudes

... asymptotic behavior as two continuous trajectories...

... also characterized as Poincar plots...

... as damping coefficient is augmented ...

... number of coexisting attractors decreases

5. Conclusion
* nonlinear nature of one-sided springs introduces: coexistence of periodical behaviors highly asymmetrical phase space orbits * realistic evaluation of parameters show that: values were underestimated in previous simulations strongest effect is due to damping coefficient * addition of environmental noise should lead to: a typical trajectory to jump between distinct states large-amplitude oscillations and bridge collapse