Seismic analysis of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet (second Bosporus) suspension bridge

Abstract

Theoretical dynamic characteristics of the Fatih Bridge in terms of natural frequencies and mode shapes of free vibration were obtained using a range of finite element models. Based on this free-vibration data, separate analyses of the asynchronous response of the bridge to earthquake excitation in three orthogonal axes with different speeds of wave propagation, and of stochastic response to vertical excitation were used to estimate levels of dynamic response due to seismic loading. The relationship of the different design features and the dynamic responses of the type of bridge is reviewed. Where seismic response is an important consideration, the effects of asynchronous excitation can be significant and must be considered. -from Authors