PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-05-0004
Project Name:	Full Scale Bridge Cable Tests
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Bosch First Name: Harold R Telephone: 202-493-3031 E-mail: harold.bosch@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Hazard Mitigation Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	Several new cable-stayed structures currently under construction with new mitigation features or different deployment details will be selected as candidate test sites. Forced vibration tests will be performed on a representative sample of stay cables to establish their dynamic properties at various stages of construction.
Laboratories:	Aerodynamics Laboratory
Start Date:	October 1, 2005
End Date:	May 31, 2013
Funding Amount:	$20,000.00
FHWA Program Name:	Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment
Goals:	The objective of this project will be to perform forced vibration tests on the stay cables of the new bridge(s) to establish their dynamic properties before and after installation of grout, cross ties, dampers, etc.
Project Type:	Onsite and Offsite
Background Information:	Rain/Wind-Induced vibration of stay cables has become a significant issue in the United States, as well as around the world. There have been a number of significant observed events in this country accompanied by structural damage. A major pooled fund project has been underway to study the problem and develop guidelines to mitigate the problem. During this study, it has become apparent that more detailed information is needed regarding actual cable dynamic properties and the effectiveness of various mitigation details.
Test Methodology:	The tests involve installing accelerometers on the stays and exciting them one at a time. The decaying vibrations are recorded using portable instrumentation and multiple test runs will be made to ensure consistency. A series of tests will run on the cables prior to and following installation of each feature as the construction schedule and owners will allow. Data will be evaluated to determine cable frequencies and mode shapes as well as establish inherent damping in the cables and in the cable system.
Other Information:	Bridge access and logistical support will be provided by Maine Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Transportation, and others as needed.
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The research will help to establish cable properties crucial to aerodynamic stability. The information obtained will be added to an ongoing effort to catalog these properties and will support pooled fund study SPR-3(078).
Deliverables:	Name: Research report. Product Type(s): Research report Description: The deliverable will consist of one or several research reports, as appropriate, to document testing and structural performance at each bridge site. For bridges where special mitigation features are deployed, the effectiveness of the feature or its impact on structural performance will be documented. Audiences: Stay cable suppliers, Bridge countermeasure design professionals, Bridge design professionals, Bridge owners, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Researchers, State highway agencies, Wind engineers Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Design Roads and Bridges--Major Projects Roads and Bridges--Structures
TRT Terms:	Aerodynamic Stability Long Span Bridges Testing Bridge Cables Infrastructure Research Bridges
FHWA Disciplines:	Design Environment Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Design Environment