Full-scale measurements on the Erasmus Bridge after rain/wind induced cable vibrations

In November 1996, the Erasmus bridge was subjected to the phenomenon “rain/wind induced vibrations”. Under rain and windy weather the stay-cables started to vibrate. During this incident the bridge was closed for all traffic while the stay-cables were immediately connected to the bridge deck by poly-ethyleen ropes, whereafter the vibrations quickly died out. A full-scale test-campaign was initiated by the Public Works of Rotterdam to avoid cable vibrations in future resulting in newly installed hydraulic dampers between cables and bridge deck. A preliminary monitoring system was installed to verify whether the dampers did not introduce negative effects on the vibrational behaviour of the bridge deck itself and…