DYNAMIC MEASUREMENTS OF THE 2ND-SEVERN CROSSING

During construction and for the first year of operation of the Second Severn Crossing, the dynamic response of the cable-stayed section of t he structure was monitored. This gave valuable insight into the dynami c behaviour of cable-stayed bridges in different wind conditions at va rious stages of construction. The opportunity was also taken to develo p and test a remote computer vision displacement measurement system. T he actual behaviour was compared with predictions from wind tunnel tes ts and from a finite element model. Following problems with cable osci llations during construction, cable damping parameters were measured a nd an effective secondary cable system was installed to prevent the vi brations occurring.