Nonlinear aerostatic stability analysis of Jiang Yin suspension bridge

A nonlinear aerostatic stability analysis of the Jiang Yin suspension bridge over the Yangtse River in China is carried out in this paper. We propose a new nonlinear method to analyze aerostatic stability of suspension bridges, based on both the three components of wind loads and geometric nonlinearity. A computer program NASAB, based on the proposed method, has been developed. The accuracy and efficiency of the computer program is examined by numerical examples. The effects of some important parameters on the aerostatic stability of the Jiang Yin bridge are studied. The results show that considering the effect of wind angle of attack on the slope of the curve of pitch moment coefficient is significant for the aerostatic stability analysis of the bridge, The displacement response under the displacement-dependent wind loads exhibits strong nonlinearity. The aerostatic instability, of the bridge can exhibit asymmetric flexural-torsional instability in space. Wind angle of incidence and wind loads of cable have major effect on the aerostatic stability of the bridge. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.