Multiple Damaged Cables Identification in Cable-Stayed Bridges Using Basis Vector Matrix Method

A new damaged cable identification method using the basis vector matrix (BVM) is proposed to identify multiple damaged cables in cable-stayed bridges. The relationships between the cable tension stiffness and the girder bending strain of the cable-stayed bridge are established using a force method. The difference between the maximum bending strains of the bridges with intact and damaged cables is used to obtain the damage index vectors (DIXVs). Then, BVM is obtained by the normalized DIXV. Finally, the damage indicator vector (DIV) is obtained by DIXV and BVM to identify the damaged cables. The damage indicator is substituted into the damage severity function to identify the corresponding damage severity. A field cable-stayed bridge is used to verify the proposed method. The three-dimensional finite element model is established using ANSYS, and the model is validated using the field measurements. The validated model is used to simulate the strain response of the bridge with different damage scenarios subject to a moving vehicle load, including one, two, three, and four damaged cables with damage severity of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. The noise effect is also discussed. The results show that the BVM method has good anti-noise capability and robustness.