Vibration characteristics identification of ultra-long cables of a cable-stayed bridge in normal operation based on half-year monitoring data

The Sutong Bridge with a span of 1088 m is supported by 272 cables, whose lengths range from 152.85 m to 576.77 m (the longest in the world). The half-year vibration acceleration data of two cables from structural health monitoring system (SHMS) is analysed, in conjunction with the wind field data, weather data and vehicle data to explore and three types of cable vibrations. The large-scale cable vibration is mainly rain-wind-induced vibrations (RWIV) when the wind direction lies in an angular range of 40°–80° relative to the cable axis, and the bridge-deck wind velocity is 4–20 m/s. The ultra-long cable also experiences in-plane vibrations, which satisfy many characteristics of vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). Cable VIV occurs only when the bridge-deck wind velocity 4–8 m/s, with the frequency ranging from 9.5 Hz to 10 Hz. The daily small-amplitude vibration of the cables and steel girder is mainly induced by the passage of heavy trucks. There exists a positive correlation between the number of heavy trucks and the vibration level. Based on the characteristics and occurrence probabilities of these three types of cable vibrations, corresponding measures are suggested for the maintenance of ultra-long cables.