Bachelor Thesis Project

Dynamic Characteristics of suspension footbridges supported by

reverse cables under crowd loading.

RA JAT G U P TA
G UI D E D BY:
1 3CE 310 07 D R. SU SH A NTA
C HA K RA BO RATY
Post Mid-Presentation (November 2016) The Footbridge
A suspension footbridge has been modelled in CSi Bridge for performing the
dynamic analysis. The only conventional suspension bridge in service in
Singapore is a 35 m span footbridge located in a tourist attraction. The first two
vertical vibration modes were found to occur at the same frequency 2 Hz
(Through CSi Bridge Model - 2.20 Hz and 2.21Hz (shown in next slide))
as the average pedestrian footfall.
The Side View and its Model in CSi Bridge Software
Stringers Transom Beams

Pylon Angles
REVERSE CABLE MODEL
Dynamic Analysis - Pedestrian
Loading
There are 3 ways of walking considered Normal Walking, Fast Walking, Running
The Ground Reaction Force (GRF) for the three ways are shown below:

Normal Walking Fast Walking Running

Normal Walking Running
LOADING - Two loads have been considered 0.874kN and
0.614kN. The deck has been divided into 6 lanes (1.2/0.2) where 1.2m
= deck width, 0.2m = distance between two legs of pedestrian
Two cases are considered 150 pedestrians
running and 100 pedestrians walking. A
part of vehicle input data is shown:
The same pedestrian loading is applied on reverse
cable model and hence these effects are noted:
SUMMARY (November 2016)
With the results observed above one notices the following
characteristics:

With the results observed above one notices the following characteristics:
Since frequency is directly proportional to stiffness, with application of reverse cable
modal frequencies increase as system tends to become stiff.
Forces in the main cable and hangers increase with gradual increase in reverse cable
axial forces since the reverse cable tries to stretch it.
Deformations for a reverse cable system are less than the original system without
reverse cable under pedestrian loading.
Mid Presentation February
2017

Points that I have worked on:

1. Inclined Reverse Cable 3D Parabola

2. Dynamic Analysis of Inclined Reverse Cable and comparison
3. Different Reverse Cable Configurations and their frequencies
4. Interesting Observation Comparison between static and dynamic
deflections.
1. Inclined Reverse Cable 3D
Parabola
The parametric coordinates for a 3D parabola are given as:
x=a*t^2+b*t+c
y=d*t^2+e*t+f
z=g*t^2+h*t+i
With three known extreme points and known maximum sag, the considered
coordinates were (-18, -5, -5), (18, -5, -5), (0, 3*cos(theta)-5, 3*sin(theta)-5).
Using these coordinates, the 3D parabola was made and coordinates were
inserted in the software.
is considered to notice the dynamic
responses of bridge. The deformations are
being showed by the animations:
2. Dynamic Analysis for Load
150kN
3. Different Configurations Considered
4. Comparison between Static
and Dynamic Deflections
LIMITATIONS

The following are the limitations of the CSi Bridge software:

The inertial contribution of the pedestrians cannot be accounted in this
software and hence the mass matrix involved in solving the modal analysis
will not change on application of pedestrian load.
The gait cycle of every individual is unique which is not accounted here for
multiple pedestrian loading and is also not possible to process in this
software
FUTURE OBJECTIVE
Depending on mode shapes, there shall be some critical points
at which the connectors should be connected.
Further, how and how many should be connected on the other
end.

The most efficient design for the reverse cable

and connectors so far as the human induced
vibration concerned.
FUTURE SCOPE OF WORK
Find appropriate arrangement of connectors (hangers) which join the
reverse cable and the deck.
Corresponding to different mode shapes, find locations at which connectors
should be connected which shall reduce responses and frequencies to values
lower than the threshold required to excite pedestrians
To plot design curves of footbridge for vertical and torsional responses after
defining proper reverse cable geometry.
THANK YOU TEACHERS
Questions and Queries are invited.