Spatial variability effects of ground motions on cable-stayed bridges

In this paper, stochastic analysis of a cable-stayed bridge subjected to spatially varying ground motions is performed. While the ground motion is described by power spectral density (PSD) function, the spatial variability of ground motions is taken into account with the incoherence and the wave-passage effects. The incoherence effect is examined by taking into account two extensively used models. As the effect of the wave-passage effect is investigated by using various wave velocities, the effect of local soil conditions where the bridge supports are constructed is outlined by using homogeneous firm, medium and soft soil conditions. Solutions obtained for the spatially varying ground motions are compared with those of the specialised cases of the ground motion model. Stationary as well as the transient response analyses are performed for the considered bridge model. It is concluded that spatial variability and propagation effects of ground motions have important effects on the dynamic behaviour of the bridge and the variability of the ground motions should be included in the stochastic analysis of cable-stayed bridges. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.