Ambient vibration survey of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Second Bosporus) Suspension Bridge

Abstract

Ambient accelerations due to dynamic excitation by wind and traffic were measured on the deck, towers, cables and hangers of the Fatih suspension bridge. From these measurements it was possible to obtain natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios for vertical, lateral, torsional and associated modes in the deck and tower up to a maximum of 2 Hz. The objective of the test was to validate the mathematical modelling used in seismic analyses of the bridge. The agreement between the experimental and theoretical modes was acceptable for vertical modes below 1 Hz, and for torsional modes, but it was difficult to identify the lateral modes due to low levels of response. The dynamic behaviour of this bridge and two other major European suspension bridges is discussed in relation to the differences in loading and structural design.