Cross-frame and lateral bracing influence on curved steel bridge free vibration response

Accurately quantifying the free vibration response of curved steel bridges has been a topic of interest for researchers and practitioners. This study examines the response of an experimental, single-span, noncomposite, curved I-girder bridge superstructure during free vibration. Finite element models of the experimental bridge system, which was tested for the FHWA Curved Steel Bridge Research Project (CSBRP), were constructed and calibrated against experimental data from dynamic investigations of the bridge by the Virginia Transportation Research Center (VTRC). Parametric studies of the experimental curved bridge system were conducted using these finite element models to investigate the effects of cross-frame and lateral bracing parameters on the structure’s free vibration response.