OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SUPPORT BEARINGS FOR A CABLE-STAYED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

This research investigates the optimal design of support bearings for cable-stayed pedestrian bridges to enhance their seismic performance. A simplified two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) model is developed to simulate the dynamic behavior of the bridge under various loading conditions, including pedestrian-induced vibrations, wind, and seismic events. The model's validity is confirmed through time history analysis, and optimization techniques such as genetic algorithms (GA) and fmincon are employed to refine design parameters. The findings reveal the effectiveness of a simplified model for optimization while addressing challenges such as local minima associated with dominant vibration modes. Multiple design objectives, including minimizing superstructure displacements and bearing shear forces, are examined, providing insights into design trade-offs.