A parametric multi-body section model for modal interactions of cable-supported bridges

A parametric section model is formulated to synthetically describe the geometrically nonlinear dynamics of cable-stayed and suspended bridges through a planar elastic multi-body system. The four-degrees-of-freedom model accounts for both the flexo-torsional motion of the bridge deck and for the transversal motion of a pair of hangers or stay cables. After linearization around the pre-stressed static equilibrium configuration, the coupled equations of motion governing the global deck dynamics and the local cable motion are obtained. A multi-parameter perturbation method is employed to solve the modal problem of internally resonant systems. The perturbation-based modal solution furnishes, first, explicit formulae for the parameter combinations which realize the internal resonance conditions and, second, asymptotic approximations of the resonant frequencies and modes. Attention is focused on the triple internal resonance among a global torsional mode of the deck and two local modes of the cables, due to the relevant geometric coupling which maximizes the modal interaction. The asymptotic approximation of the modal solution is found to finely describe the multiple veering phenomenon which involves the three frequency loci under small variation of the most significant mechanical parameters, including terms of structural coupling or disorder. Moreover, the veering amplitude between any two of the three frequency loci can be expressed as an explicit parametric function. Finally, the disorder is recognized as the only parameter governing a complex phenomenon of triple modal hybridization involving all the resonant modes. The entire hybridization process is successfully described by an energy-based localization factor, presented in a new perturbation-based form, valid for internally resonant system.