Experimental evaluation of Hovenring bridge stay-cable vibration

Abstract

This paper deals with the experimental investigations carried out on a cable-stayed pedestrian and bicycle bridge. Shortly after the installation of the bridge, it turned out that the cables vibrated in the wind. Experimental investigations were soon started to determine the exact cause of the vibrations with the aim of finding a definitive solution. Vortex shedding was found to cause the vibrations and a Stockbridge damperwas mounted to test its effectiveness.A case of vortex induced vibrations was also measured together with wind speed on site as a confirmation of the study. Finally, a prediction of the number of cycles suffered by the stays as a consequence of vortex shedding was also done in order to evaluate the cumulated stress and the residual fatigue life of the structural elements. © 2013 WIT Press.