Seismic design of high-rise towers for cable-stayed bridges under strong earthquakes

Abstract

This paper presents the first of a series of studies on the seismic design of high-rise towers for cable-stayed bridges under strong earthquakes. One practical cable-stayed bridge with a 730 m long main span and two high-rise towers over 200 m in height was selected for this study. The preliminary results show that compared with piers, the tower is more vulnerable to pulse-like earthquakes, and it may develop plasticity at certain locations. In addition, viscous dampers may not have the same effect during pulse-like earthquakes as they do under site-specific earthquakes. Hence, reoptimization of damper parameters or reconsideration of other energy dissipation devices will be needed if strong earthquakes are likely to occur.