DYNAMIC TESTS FOR OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENT OF

STAY CABLE FORCES IN ARACAJU BRIDGE

J.F.Rodrigues1, P.A.O.Almeida2
1
LSE Laboratório de Sistemas Estruturais Ltda, Dr.Eng., Brazil.
2
LSE Laboratório de Sistemas Estruturais Ltda, Prof.Dr.Eng. of University of São Paulo, Brazil.

e-mail: fernando.rodrigues@lsetech.com.br, pedro.almeida@lsetech.com.br

ABSTRACT
This paper presents main results provided by dynamic tests during the adjustment of the stay cable
forces of Aracaju-Barra Bridge, in Brazil. This bridge was inaugurated in 2007, and the original
maintenance program assigned to this bridge included checking the tension forces in the stays
using load cells and evaluation of the modal behavior of the bridge during three first years of
operation. Changes of the forces in the stay cables were observed mainly due to relaxation of steel
cables and creep of the pylon and concrete deck. To adjust the stay cable forces a new
experimental evaluation was accomplished in 2012, when geometric configuration of the bridge
was surveyed and a detailed inspection was performed including the anchorages of the stay cables.
Dynamic characteristics of the cable-stayed bridge were also determined by using forced vibration
tests with an instrumented 450-kN vehicle. From the results, reanalysis of the numeric model of
the bridge was performed taking as reference dynamic characteristics measured during tests. In
order to optimize the adjustment operation an influence force matrix was calculated using the
reanalyzed model, and an adjustment plan which specifies changes of forces and deck height for
each stay cable was performed. After the adjustment, dynamic tests were repeated to evaluate
changes in the dynamic behaviour of the bridge. It must be emphasized that it is a pioneer
adjustment in stay cables in Brazil.

Keywords: Stay-cable bridges, modal analysis, monitoring