Estimation of cables' tension of cable-stayed footbridge using measured natural frequencies

Abstract

This paper presents analysis of cables' tension of steel cable-stayed footbridge using their field-test natural frequencies. A vibration method is usually used for the measured cable tension during the construction of cable systems stiffened with inclined cables. Practical formulas for the vibration method applied herein, mainly based on cable-sag and vertical angle effects (a survey measurement), have been verified on the one-tower steel cable-stayed bridge. The bridge is situated in Sieradz (Poland) and it was the structure with the longest span concerning all the cable-stayed bridges in Poland until 1999. The obtained cable axial forces for estimated natural frequencies of low- and high-order modes are verified using FEM models. The final conclusions drawn on the basis of conducted studies can be useful for technical diagnosis, monitoring programs and repair works of similar class of cable-stayed bridges.