Tensegrity footbridges with arch deck: static and dynamic behaviour

摘要

Tensegrity principle can be assumed in the conceptual design of footbridges. Although they are quite deformable, their structural behaviour under static loads is quite good. The dynamic behaviour is also quite good, but vibrations under pedestrian flow have to be controlled. After defining feasible constructional types and their detailing, static and dynamic analysis are performed. Modal analysis has been carried out by finite element method. It has been found that geometric nonlinearity would greatly influence the modal analysis, and that tensegrity footbridges with arch deck have better dynamic behaviour than those with straight deck. The influence of the dimensions of each member and of footbridge geometry on bridge behaviour is analysed. Finally, some suggestions about structural optimization are summarized.