Natural Frequency of Curved Box Girder Bridges

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study which has permitted the development of a series of empirical equations used for direct evaluation of the natural frequency of straight and curved box girders. The natural frequency of curved box girders has been obtained by utilizing a computer oriented finite difference scheme. The natural frequency results obtained from the computer program were compared to measured frequencies of a series of test bridges. Excellent correlation was observed. A parametric study was then performed on a series of simple, two and three span continuous curved bridges. The results from this parametric study permitted development of a simplified natural frequency equation.