Effects of ground motion spatial variability on the response of cable‐stayed bridges

In order to extend our knowledge of the performance of long‐span bridges under earthquake loading the effects of spatial variability of ground motion on the structural response of cable‐stayed bridges are studied; the result can be useful to practising bridge engineers. The multiple‐support excitation analysis is described, and two three‐dimensional models representing the modern and future trends in cable‐stayed bridge design are utilized to shed some light on salient features of the seismic response characteristics of these modern bridges. In addition, models of steel‐ and concrete‐design alternates of an existing bridge are considered. Differential ground motion records (obtained from dense instrument arrays) are used as synchronous and non‐synchronous support motions; in addition, non‐dispersive seismic waves travelling along the bridge are considered. The bridge response to non‐uniform ground motion is compared to its response to uniform input. An overview of the unique dynamic characteristics of these cable‐supported bridges is also presented. Finally, the study, which was used in the seismic design of several existing cable‐stayed bridges in U.S. and Canada, indicates that the response quantities may increase substantially from the non‐uniform input ground motion, especially for more rigid bridges and for bridges having different dynamic properties of the local soils at the supporting points, but the degree of increase depends upon the specific problem, in particular upon the aspects of span length, rigidity and structural redundancy. Thus, the response to non‐uniform input ground motion should be examined for these bridges.