Baseline Modeling of the Owensboro Cable-Stayed Bridge Over the Ohio River

Abstract

This report presents the baseline modeling of the Owensboro cable-stayed bridge which connects Owensboro, Kentucky and Rockport, Indiana over the Ohio River. The objective of this study is to establish the bridge baseline model via the dynamics-based technique and finite element method. The scope of research includes finite element modeling and modal analysis, field free vibration testing, finite element model calibration using field test results, and cable dynamic testing and modeling. It is demonstrated that a cable-stayed bridge is a highly prestressed structure. The stress stiffening of cable elements plays an important role in both static and dynamic analysis. The large deflection analysis has shown that large deflection has a limited effect on the member deflections. Dominate dynamic response modes in the low frequency range contain vertical and transverse directions. The free vibration modes of the bridge are complicated and coupled. A good agreement of frequencies has been found between finite element modeling and in field free vibration testing after calibrating the finite element model, but the better matching for higher modes is not expected and not realistic, as the experimental model properties of the bridge come from the output-only measurement. The calibrated finite element model may be used as a baseline in the future structural analysis and monitoring of the Owensboro cable-stayed bridge.