Natural vibration characteristics of long-span suspension bridge with CFRP cables

A non-corrosion, high strength, light weight material carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is introduced to replace steel as cable system in long-span suspension bridge for improving loading efficiency, reducing maintenance cost, enlarging the span of suspension bridge. The natural vibration characteristics of such new suspension bridge with CFRP cables are investigated by means of finite element in this paper. Two 2000m-span suspension bridges with steel cables and CFRP cables respectively are designed, analyzed, verified and compared. The analysis results provide a picture of the changes in natural vibration characteristics and the wind stability and earthquake-resistant behavior are briefly discussed if CFRP cables were applied.