Numerical and Experimental Study of Free Vibration Characteristics of a Cable-Stayed Bridge

The main aim of this study is to understand the dynamic behavior of a cable-stayed bridge, using both numerical and experimental analysis. A three-dimensional finite element model for the bridge was developed for the free vibration analysis and the ambient vibration properties of the bridge were determined through field testing. The experimental and numerical results of natural frequencies and the associated mode shapes were compared, and the high accuracy between them shows that the 3D model is capable of approximately representing the dynamic behavior of the bridge and the use of ambient vibration survives in future testing of the bridge. These dynamic characteristics can be used as the basis for updating the finite element model and also for global damage detection.