Coupled flutter analysis of long-span bridges by multimode and full-order approaches

The coupled flutter problem of long-span bridges is addressed in this paper. Firstly, a multimode flutter analysis is proposed based on Scanlan's linear self-excited forces. The proposed multimode method is single-parameter, non-iterative and offers simplicity, automaticity and robustness. Secondly, a new full-order analysis for the flutter problem is developed. The presented full-order method overcomes partly the defects of the previous direct flutter analysis and is also single-parameter and efficient. Since any assumption is not included on computation, the full-order method is a strict and accurate flutter analysis from the viewpoint of methodology. Moreover, the coupled flutter analysis of the Jiangyin Yangtse River Suspension Bridge with 1385m-long main span is performed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.