As a key force transmitting and bearing component of suspension bridges, hangers are significant for bridge safety. Due to the characteristics of long length, high flexibility and low internal damping, hangers are prone to produce various vibrations. Cross-tie, as an effective vibration control member, is widely used in suspension bridges built with double-hanger systems. However, as a special cable network, a double-hanger system still lacks a detailed discussion of mechanical and serviceable performances. Therefore, in this paper, the dynamic behavior of a double-hanger system strengthened by a rigid cross-tie (DHS_RCT) is studied by using a theoretical method. First, the system frequency equation considering the hanger bending stiffness, tension and per unit length mass is deduced from the theoretical formula. Then, the accuracy of the system frequency equation is verified by comparison with literature results. Finally, based on the proposed frequency equation, the effects of hanger length, bending stiffness, cross-tie position and asymmetric hanger tension on the dynamic characteristics of DHS_RCT are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the system stiffness is positively related to the single hanger bending stiffness. In addition, the rigid cross-tie does not increase the system stiffness, but the cross-tie position and asymmetric hanger tension have significant effects on the dynamic characteristics of DHS_RCT.
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