Response analysis of a long-span cable-stayed bridge with ultra-high piles subjected to near-fault ground motions considering deep-water, sedimentation, local site, and wave-passage effect

Abstract The objective of this study is to examine the dynamic response behavior of a long-span cable-stayed bridge with ultra-high piles subjected to near-fault ground motions, comprehensively considering deep-water, sedimentation, local site, and wave-passage effects. Firstly, a 3D finite element (FE) model of the long-span cable-stayed bridge with ultra-high piles (Approximately 105 m) and a tower height of 216.4 m was established using Midas software. The deep-water, sedimentation, local site, and wave-passage effects were synthetically considered in this FE model. The FE model incorporates the sag effect of the stayed cable and the pile-soil interaction, enabling a detailed seismic analysis. Secondly, the examined near-fault ground motions with long-period velocity pulses were selected from the PEER database according to the design acceleration response spectrum with a fortification intensity of VIII degrees. Finally, nonlinear time history analyses of the selected long-span cable-stayed bridge, subjected to spatial near-fault ground motions including local site effect and wave-passage effect, were conducted, and the responses of critical design sections and points in structures were examined and evaluated. The results demonstrate that long-period velocity pulses can significantly affect the structural responses, while deep-water and sedimentation effects do not have a significant impact on the dynamic responses of long-span cable-stayed bridges. For the local site effect, the softer the soil at the support site and the greater the difference in soil conditions at the support, the larger the structural response. Regarding the wave effect, the structural response will increase or decrease depending on the magnitude of the wave speed and the span length between towers.