Benefits of Tuned Mass Dampers for Suspension Bridge Steel Towers

This book intends to investigate the effects of utilizing tuned mass dampers in mitigating the dynamic response of suspension bridge towers subjected to seismic actions. For this purpose Izmit Bay Suspension Bridge tower, which is located in Izmit Bay, is chosen as the case study bridge. Main span length of the bridge is 1550 meters and the two side spans are 550 meters each. Dynamic response of the Izmit Bay Bridge Tower structure is investigated considering two models: (1) with mass damper and (2) without mass damper to be able to estimate the impact of utilization of mass damper on the seismic response. For this purpose, member-based detailed three-dimensional simplified models of the tower are developed in CSI SAP2000 analysis software. Exact tower cross section is created in the analysis software, and for each section of Izmit Bay Bridge tower is reflected to the model with considering as-built geometry of erected tower. Additionally, loads acting on the tower that are coming from the deck and the cable are applied to the model. Also tuned mass damper (TMD) dynamic characteristics are defined according to actual masses of the existing dampers of the Izmit Bay Bridge Tower.