Dynamic analysis of a beam on block-and-tackle suspension system: A continuum approach

•The non-linear dynamics of an innovative model of a suspension footbridge is studied.•The dimensionless modal shape functions and natural frequencies are determined.•A numerical procedure for the dynamic analysis of the structure is developed.•Numerical simulations are accomplished for vortex-shedding and continuous pedestrian flow.

In this paper the dynamic analysis of a beam on a block-and-tackle suspension system is accomplished using a continuum approach. The modal shape functions and the natural frequencies of the structure are derived in a dimensionless form for both slacked and stressed cables. A procedure is developed to handle the nonlinearity originated from the consecutive slacking and stressing of the suspension cable. Vibration analysis of the bilinear, multi-degree-of-freedom structure is accomplished for a vortex-shedding generated lift force and for a continuous pedestrian flow.