Abstract: A 3D finite element model for the Taizhou Yangtze River Bridge, the first triple-tower long-span suspension bridge in China, is established based on the nonlinear finite element software ABAQUS, and the dynamic characteristics of the bridge are analyzed using the LANCZOS eigenvalue solution method. The study focuses on the effects of the vertical, lateral and torsional stiffness of the steel box girder, the rigid central buckle and the elastic restraints connecting the towers and the steel box girder on the dynamic characteristics of the triple-tower suspension bridge. Our results show that, in general, the dynamic characteristics of the triple-tower suspension bridge are similar to those of two-tower suspension bridges. The vertical, lateral and torsional stiffness of the steel box girder have different effects on the dynamic characteristics of triple-tower suspension bridges. The elastic restraints have a more significant effect on the dynamic characteristics than the central buckle, and decreasing the stiffness of the elastic restraints results in the appearance of a longitudinal floating vibration mode of the bridge. Also, rigid central buckles have a greater influence on the dynamic characteristics of triple-tower suspension bridges than on those of two-tower suspension bridges. The results obtained could serve as a valuable numerical reference for analyzing and designing super-long-span triple-tower suspension bridges.

Key words: Suspension bridge, Taizhou Bridge, Triple-tower, Dynamic characteristics, Super-long-span

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