Field-Measured Natural Frequencies of Delaware Memorial Bridge

Abstract

The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a major suspension bridge that is critical to the tristate region of northern Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. The Delaware Memorial Bridge consists of two nearly identical suspension bridges (hence, the nickname Twin Spans) that cross the Delaware River from southern New Jersey to northern Delaware. Field ambient vibration measurements of Structures 1 and 2 of the Delaware Memorial Bridge were conducted in June 2001 and September 2003. These measurements were used to derive the natural frequencies and modes of vibration for these structures. These field-measured frequencies and modes were then compared with each other and with computer-generated natural frequencies and modes of vibration derived for Structure 2 of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in 1997. Specifically, the 2001 seismometer-generated results for Structure 1 were compared with the 2003 accelerometer-generated results for Structure 1; the 2003 field-measured results for Structure 2 were compared with the 2003 field-measured results for Structure 1; and the 2003 field-measured results for Structure 2 were compared with the 1997 computer-generated results for Structure 2. Overall, these three types of comparisons indicated relatively good correlation for transverse motion but only fair correlation for longitudinal and vertical motion.