Abstract. In this paper, some important issues regarding the active and passive vibration control of long-span cable-supported bridges are presented. Such structures present unique features that need to be specifically addressed in order to provide meaningful results. First, the problem of control systems in the seismic analysis of long-span bridges is analysed. It is shown that the spatial variability of the ground motion strongly affects the structural response and it must be considered in the analysis of appropriate control systems. Then, the problem of monitoring of bridge vibrations, whether to provide control of subsequent, potentially damaging motions or for detection of hidden damage that may already have occurred, is addressed. Several examples involving analysis, monitoring and control for seismic and wind-induced motion are presented, as well as laboratory studies for damage detection.

Print publication: Issue 1A (March 1995)