NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- An Analysis of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Suspension Bridge by Ambient Vibration Measurements.
- File
- PB275063.pdf
- Author(s)
- Abdel-Ghaffar, A. M.; Housner, G. W.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C., January 1977, 86 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- EERL-77-01
- Abstract
- 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.
- Keywords
- Vehicular traffic; Earthquake resistant structures; California; Vibration tests; Vibration; Vincent-Thomas bridge; Dynamic response; Earthquake engineering; Vibration damping; Suspension bridges; Los Angeles harbor; Dynamic structural analysis