Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sensitivity analysis of bridge flutter with respect to mechanical parameters of the deck

  • Industrial applications
  • Published:
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

A methodology for carrying out an analytical sensitivity analysis of the flutter phenomenon in long-span bridges is developed. Decks of bridges are generally bluff bodies and therefore the aeroelastic forces under wind action have to be experimentally evaluated in wind tunnels. Such forces depend on the response frequency of the bridge, which is not known until the problem is solved. Consequently, the calculus of the critical wind speed that initiates the flutter instability comprises a complex nonlinear eigenvalue problem. During the design phase, the sensitivity analysis gives very interesting information about the gradient of the flutter speed with respect to the key chosen design variables, moments of inertia of the bridge deck. The presented method is applied to the Great Belt and Vasco da Gama Bridges, as well as to the old Tacoma Bridge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Arora, J.S. 1989: Introduction to Optimum Design. New York: McGraw-Hill

  2. Bindolino, G.; Mantegazza, P. 1987: Aeroelastic derivatives as a sensitivity analysis of non-linear equation. AIAA J. 25(8), 1145–1146

    Google Scholar 

  3. Capra, A.; Leveille, A. 1997: Vasco da Gama main bridge seismic design. International Conference New Technologies in Structural Engineering, Vol. 1. Lisbon: Artes Gráficas Simoes, Lda.

  4. Cobo, D. 1998: An Analysis of Wind Stability. Improvements to the Response of Suspension Bridges. Tesis doctoral de La Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya. Barcelona: E.T.S.D’Enginyers de Camins, C. i P.

  5. Dyrbye, C.; Hansen, S.O. 1996: Wind Loads on Structures. New York: John Wiley & Sons

  6. Farquharson, F.B. 1949: Aerodynamic stability of suspension bridges, parts I–V. Bulletin No. 116, University of Washington Engineering Experiment Station, Seattle, pp. 1949–1954

  7. Grillaud, G.; Barré, C.; Flamand, O. 1997: Wind action on the Vasco Da Gama Cable stayed bridge. International Conference New Technologies in Structural Engineering, Vol. 1, Lisbon: Artes Gráficas Simoes, Lda.

  8. Haftka, T.; Gürdal, Z. 1992: Elements of Structural Optimization. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers

  9. Haug, E.J.; Choi, K.K.; Komkov, V. 1986: Design Sensitivity Analysis of Structural Systems. New York: Academic Press

  10. Herzog, M. 1990: Die aerostatische Stabilität der Hängebrücken. Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt 9, 223–227

  11. Issac, J.; Kapania, R.K.; Barthelemy, J.-F.M. 1995: Sensitivity analysis of flutter responses of a wing to shape and modal parameters. AIAA J. 33(10), 1983–1986

    Google Scholar 

  12. Jones, N.P.; Scanlan, R.H.; Jain, A.; Katsuchi, H. 1998: Advances (and challenges) in the prediction of long-span bridge response to wind. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advances in Bridge Aerodynamics (held in Copenhagen), pp. 59–85. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema.

  13. Jurado, J.A.; Hernández, S. 2001: Conceptual design Of suspension bridges based insensitivity analysis Of flutter speed. Proceedings of the 2001 ASCE Structural Congress and Exposition (held in Washington DC)

  14. Larsen, A. 1993: Aerodynamic aspects of the final design of the 1624 m suspension bridge across the Great Belt. J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 48, 261–285

  15. Machado, L.; Branco, F.A. 1997: The Vasco da Gama bridge project. International Conference on New Technologies in Structural Engineering, Vol. 2. Lisbon: Artes Gráficas Simoes, Lda.

  16. Scanlan, R.H. 1993: Problematics in formulation of wind-force models for bridge decks. J. Eng. Mech. 119(7), 1353–1372

    Google Scholar 

  17. Semiao, C.; Mendes, P. 1998: Avaliazao das condizoes de estabilidade aerodinâmica em pontes. Jornadas portuguesas de engenharia de estructuras, Lisbon

  18. Simiu, E.; Scanlan, R.H. 1996: Wind Effect on Structures, 2nd edn. New York: John Wiley & Sons

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, University of La Coruna, Campus de Elvina, La Coruna, 15071, Spain

    J.A. Jurado & S. Hernández

Authors
  1. J.A. Jurado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Hernández
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J.A. Jurado.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jurado, J., Hernández , S. Sensitivity analysis of bridge flutter with respect to mechanical parameters of the deck. Struct Multidisc Optim 27, 272–283 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-003-0374-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-003-0374-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation