modelling and control of wind-induced vibration of suspension bridge hangers

modelling and control of wind-induced vibration of suspension bridge hangers

© @ULiège

The design and construction of long-span suspension and cable-supported bridges have increased significantly in recent years. As span lengths continue to grow, wind induced vibrations have become a central concern during the design, construction, and maintenance phases. Among the structural elements most susceptible to wind excitation are the hangers of suspension bridges. In current practice, hanger vibrations are often addressed a posteriori, through the installation of damping devices once vibrations are observed. In the case of the Hålogaland Bridge in Narvik, severe hanger vibrations were already observed during the construction phase. To mitigate this phenomenon, dedicated damping devices were installed. However, within just one year of installation, nearly half of these dampers failed. The causes of these failures remain difficult to assess and are still largely unknown.The aim of this PhD project is to investigate wind-induced vibrations in bridge hangers using field data collected from the Hålogaland Bridge. The recorded data are further used to improve the understanding of the behaviour of Stockbridge dampers and to develop a methodology for optimising their placement. Ultimately, the project aims to provide design recommendations to prevent similar issues in future bridge projects. The monitoring of the bridge hangers and the execution of this project are carried out through a collaboration between the Department of Structural Engineering and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.