Reduction of cable vibrations in a cable stayed bridge under biharmonic excitation

Abstract This article describes a method for reducing resonant vibrations of stay cables in a cable stayed bridge under biharmonic excitation. This type of excitation consists of two sinusoidal signals and as a result, frequency resonance occurs simultaneously in two pairs of stay cables. The results of the research presented in the article indicate that resonant vibrations occurring simultaneously in any two pairs of stay cables can be effectively reduced by changing static tension forces in an appropriately selected stay cable. Cables intended for a change in static tension forces were selected on the basis of sensitivity analysis of an eigenproblem formulated in accordance with second order theory. Linear optimization was applied for the selection of cables. Vibration reduction methodology was experimentally verified through measurements on a model of a steel cable-stayed footbridge.