Large amplitude dry cable vibrations and its implication for rain-wind-induced vibrations

Problematic vibrations of stay cables under the simultaneous excitation of wind and rain have been a major concern for cable-stayed bridges. In addition to these rain-wind-induced vibrations, large amplitude stay cable vibrations without the occurrence of rainfall have also been observed in the field. This paper presents some characteristics of a particular type of dry cable vibration, as well as the results of the wind tunnel tests specifically designed to reproduce such vibrations. The possible connections between large amplitude dry cable vibrations and rain-wind-induced vibrations are also explored.