Cable-Stayed Bridge Experience

1656 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1V4, Canada, Tel. 604-876-4377, Fax. 604-876-4373

ANDREAS FELBER, PH.D., P.ENG. Employment and Education History 2002-Present BPA Group of Companies, Vice President 1996-2002 Buckland & Taylor Ltd. 1994-96 Swiss Federal Material Testing Laboratory, EMPA1992-Present EDI Experimental Dynamic Investigations Ltd.1990-93 Ph.D., University of British Columbia1988-90 M.A.Sc., University of Toronto1984-88 B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia

Memberships:Association of Professional Engineers of British ColumbiaEarthquake Engineering Research Institute International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering

Cable-Stayed Bridge ExperienceProvencher Pedestrian Bridge, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.Assisted the winning contractor to develop a cast in-place alternativefor this 100 m (328 ft) main span architectural pedestrian bridge with a80 m (262 ft) back span. The bridge was originally designed to bemade up of pre-cast deck elements. Organized the erection engineeringwork and prepared initial erection engineering submissions while devel-oping routines to deal with the modelling of the form travelers.

U.S. Grant Bridge, Portsmouth, OH, USA.Assisted the contractor in the pre bid stage of the project. Upon awardsupervised the development and implementation of the step-by-stepanalysis of this asymmetric 267 m (275 ft) main span cable-stayedbridge with integral abutments and tower connections.

SkyBridge Evaluation, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Responsible for the evaluation of the 340 m (1115 ft) main span cable-stayed light rapid transit bridge. Supervised the analysis team thatdetermined whether this bridge could carry larger transit trains than theones for which it had been originally designed. This study included afatigue analysis of the stay cables.

Rama 8 Bridge, Bangkok, Thailand.

In charge of overseeing the creation of the model for the design anderection engineering phases of this 300 m (984 ft) main span, singlepylon, cable-stayed bridge. Resolved technical issues regarding model-ling for the final design and erection stages. Evaluated proposed struc-tural health monitoring systems.

William Natcher Bridge, Owensboro, KY, USA. Erection engineering analysis specialist. Led the team that developedand implemented the step-by-step analysis of this 366 m (1200 ft)main span cable-stayed bridge with integral approach spans. Reviewedall major submissions. Provided engineering support during the con-struction phase of the project up to main span closure and installationof the overlay.

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Sundial Pedestrian Bridge, Redding, CA, USA.Extended capabilities of bridge erection engineering software to facili-tate analysis of the truss superstructures for this 126 m (413 ft) mainspan bridge. Provided advice on modelling and three dimensional cam-ber calculations for the space truss deck and inclined tapered tower.

Sydney Airport Bridge, Sydney, Australia. Performed all modelling and analysis for the review of the proposederection procedure of this 105 m (344 ft) main span bridge. The reviewfocused on deck cracking and geometry control issues associated withthe proposed erection sequence.

William Harsha Bridge, Maysville, KY, USA. Developed software to evaluate all 250 stages of construction of thebridge, which has a main span of 320 m (1050 ft). The software com-putes the stresses and geometry of the bridge at any stage of con-struction, accounting for the effects of creep and shrinkage as well ascast in deformations and stresses in the steel girders. In charge of pre-paring all major submissions for this project.

Alex Fraser Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Planned and executed vibration testing of selected stay cables of this465 m (1526 ft) main span bridge. The measured natural frequenciesof the cables were used to assess their dead load tensions using ambi-ent vibration techniques after 15 years of operation.

Ganter Bridge, Brig, Wallis, Switzerland.Planned and supervised dynamic tests on this 678 m (2224 ft) longcurved cable-stayed bridge. Measurements were taken at 180 loca-tions including along the 172 m (564 ft) tall pier. In total, 25 modes ofvibration were clearly identified.

Rhine Bridge, Schaffhausen, Switzerland.Planned and supervised the dynamic testing of this 152 m long bridgecurved cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 125 m. Clearly identi-fied 23 modes of the bridge and natural frequencies and tensions of 16stay cables.

Itenhard, Bremgarten, Aarrau, Switzerland.Planned and supervised the dynamic testing of this L-shaped pedestrianbridge with two 27 m (89 ft) steel spans. Identified 15 modes of vibra-tion and determined that the foundation stiffness was lower than hadbeen anticipated at the design stage.

Shipshaw Bridge, Jonquiere, QC, Canada.Analysed test data obtained by the Quebec Ministry of Transport andEcole Polytechnique to determine 6 modes of this 183 m (600 ft) longcomposite cable-stayed bridge. This study was conducted in responseto some damage caused by the 1988 Saguenay earthquake (M 5.9).

Cable-Stayed Bridge Experience (Continued)

Curriculum Vitae, Andreas Felber, Ph.D., P.Eng. 2/9

Stonecutters Bridge, Hong Kong, PRC.Assisted in the preparation of the winning design engineering proposalfor this 1100 m main span bridge in Hong Kong. Involved in the devel-opment of a composite deck design alternative which included dead,live and wind load analysis as well as a preliminary buckling investiga-tion.

Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, SC, USA.Assisted in review of the proposed damping systems for the staycables for the 472 m (1546 ft) main span bridge. Provided technicalassistance for the modelling of the construction stages of the bridge.

Second Panama Bridge, Panama.Prepared a preliminary model of critical construction stages of thebridge in order to assess some construction concepts proposed by onebidder for the construction of this 420 m (1378 ft) main span cable-stayed bridge over the Panama Canal.

Maumee Bridge, Toledo, OH, USA.Provided prebid advice to a contractor to assess tower strength and stability for an alternateconstruction sequence for this single tower bridge with two precast segmental concrete spansof 187 m (612 ft) each.

Stay-Cable Vibration Study, FHWA, USA.Participated in a multi-disciplinary study involving Buckland & Taylor Ltd., HNTB, RWDI, andJohn Hopkins University. The study focused on quantifying stay cable vibration sources andtheir mitigation. Supervised part of the study dealing with traffic induced vibrations and over-saw the preparation of a design guide which discusses the pertinent issues in practical terms.

Suspension Bridge ExperienceNam-Hae Suspension Bridge, Nam-Hae Island, Korea. Participated in field inspection and reviewed the structural health moni-toring system. Prepared analytical models of the existing 404 m(1325 ft) main span bridge and carried out both static and dynamic cal-ibration of the model before conducting structural evaluation of thebridge.

U.S. Grant Suspension Bridge, Portsmouth, OH, USAIn charge of developing a deconstruction and demolition plan for this213 m (700 ft) main span suspension bridge over the Ohio river. Theplan provided a detailed sequence for the removal of bridge elementsand checks of all remaining components to ensure their strength andstability. Once the entire stiffening truss was removed, the main cableswere cut with explosives to precipitate a controlled collapse of thetowers.

Cable-Stayed Bridge Experience (Continued)


Lions’ Gate Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Reviewed seismic design criteria and formulated procedure and meth-odology for the seismic analysis of this suspension bridge with a472 m (1549 ft) main span and a total length of 1517 m (4978 ft). Incharge of reviewing the seismic time history motions. Supervised theteam which carried out the response spectral analysis as well as bothlinear and non-linear analyses using multiple incoherent displacement time histories.

Chacao Suspension Bridge, Chiloe, Chile.In charge of reviewing the seismic input motions provided by seismolo-gists. Provided expert advice to COWI’s dynamic analysis team inCopenhagen which carried out the seismic analysis for this 2000 mlong multi-span suspension bridge. The analysis involved both spectraand multiple incoherent time histories for several hazard levels corre-sponding to different return periods and damage levels.

Carquinez Suspension Bridge, Crockett, USA.Developed a damping concept to mitigate wind induced tower vibra-tions. The Designer’s wind tunnel study indicated that the free stand-ing towers would be susceptible to vortex shedding induced vibrationswith a large limiting amplitude of 0.3 m (1ft). The damping wasdesigned so that it could quickly be fabricated and installed in case thepredicted vibrations occurred and interfered with construction.

Hudson’s Hope Suspension Bridge, Hudson’s Hope, BC, Canada.Provided advice on the modelling of this 207 m main span suspension bridge. Of particularinterest was the modelling of the post-tensioned precast concrete deck sections to assess ifany joint openings could occur under the passage of heavy trucks.

High Voltage Cross Suspension System, Kitimat, BC, Canada.Inspected a high level catenary suspension system which spans 1180 m (3871 ft) across anavalanche prone mountain pass carrying high voltage transmission lines. The inspection/inves-tigation was carried out to assess the effects of wind induced vibrations on the fatigue life ofthe main suspension cables. Prepared an inspection report which included several recommen-dations for the mitigation of risk associated with the loss of the transmission line suspensionsystem.

Other Bridge ExperiencePort Mann Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada.In charge of project coordination for the Port Mann Bridge “SeismicSafety Assessment and Retrofit Study”. Integrated structural and geo-technical analysis methodology and philosophy. Conducted an ambientvibration study that focused on the dynamic characteristics of the fun-damental modes of the 366 m (1200 ft) main span and south approachstructure. Facilitated the finite element model calibration, which pro-vided valuable insight into the soil structures interaction of the bridge.

Suspension Bridge Experience (Continued)


Queensborough Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Conducted an ambient vibration study of the Queensborough Bridge forthe British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways. Thisstudy focused on the lateral response of the north and south approachspans and on the dynamic characteristics of the main structure cross-ing the Fraser River.

Elk Falls Pedestrian Bridge, Campbell River, BC, Canada. Inspected the 49 m (161 ft) long vierendeel truss pedestrian bridge andcarried out tests to determine the fundamental modes and damping ofthis all-welded structure. Supervised the design of an economical andpractical retrofit to the bridge, which improved the dynamic perform-ance under regular pedestrian traffic as well as intentional excitation byteenagers.

Westend Bridge, Berlin, Germany. Participated in a collaborative study between EMPA and the GermanFederal Material Testing Institute (BAM) to test the Westend Bridge.Organized and carried out an ambient vibration study, to provide addi-tional information on the fundamental lateral modes of the bridge.

Ambient Vibration Testing, QC, Canada. Developed ambient vibration testing capabilities for the mobile labora-tory of the Quebec Ministry of Transportation in Quebec City. Thisproject involved training ministry staff in the use of ambient vibrationhardware and software. Provided leadership in the execution and plan-ning of ambient vibration surveys on bridges in St. Aurelie, Beaucevilleand Manseau, Quebec.

Dala Bridge, Leuk, Wallis, Switzerland. Planned and executed ambient vibration tests on this 209 m long steelbox girder bridge with a composite deck. Using 80 measurement loca-tions 19 mode shapes were identified and then compared to 15 modeshapes obtained from more costly shaker test and the two modeshapes obtained from impact tests with rockets. These tests demon-strated that ambient vibration testing is a more economical alternativeto forced vibration testing for large structures.

OECD - DIVINE Project Bridge Tests, Switzerland. As part of EMPA’s participation in the Dynamic Interaction Vehicle-INfrastructure Experiment (DIVINE), organized and carried out ambientvibration tests on the Foss, Sort, and Deibuel bridges. A procedure forthe efficient analysis of wheel load data and bridge response signalswas implemented.

Other Bridge Experience (Continued)


Seal Island Bridge, Sydney, NS, Canada. Planned and executed an ambient vibration test for this three span con-tinuous steel truss bridge with a central 152 m arch. Identified morethan 12 fundamental modes of the structure and calibrated the compu-ter model to the measured results. The measurements revealed thatthere was significant interaction between the main span and approachstructure at vibration levels caused by heavy traffic and strong winds.

Confederation Bridge, Borden, PEI, Canada. Prepared an evaluation of the permanent instrumentation installed inthe Confederation bridge for the monitoring of ice loads. Also reviewedstatic and dynamic tests which involved pulling on the bridge with theTerry Fox ice breaker.

Testing of Overpasses, Eureka, CA, USA. Involved in a project which studied both the low amplitude (ambient) and strong motion (earth-quake) response of the permanently instrumented Painter Street Bridge in Rio Dell, California.Planned, organized and executed ambient vibration studies of the Painter Street Bridge andtwo other bridges in Northern California. Analysed data from seven previously recorded earth-quakes.

General Structural ExperienceMauvoisin Dam Testing, Fionnay, Wallis, Switzerland. In charge of planning and leading the team that conducted a one yearEMPA/Swiss Dam Safety Commission ambient vibration monitoringprogram that was set up for the Mauvoisin Dam in Switzerland. This250 m high concrete arch dam has a crest length of 520 m. A series ofambient vibration tests was conducted to determine the changes innatural frequency as a function of water level fluctuations.

Ruskin Dam, Mission, BC, Canada. Planned and supervised an ambient vibration pilot study to identify thenatural frequencies of the dam and gate structure. Measurements weretaken on the road above the spillway gates and on the spill way crest.

Dynamic Analyses of High-rise Buildings. Determined design forces using response spectrum analyses for twohigh-rise buildings built in Vancouver, BC, and two buildings proposedfor New Westminster, BC, and Shenzhen, China.

32 Storey High-rise Building, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Provided coordination, assistance and technical advice for the test of a32 storey high-rise building in downtown Vancouver. This study, whichwas part of a Master's Thesis at UBC, was aimed at determining thedynamic characteristics of a building at several different stages duringconstruction.

Other Bridge Experience (Continued)


Alcan Transmission Towers, Kitimat, BC, Canada.Carried out a parametric study of the high voltage transmission towers of the Kemano-KitimatTransmission line, which are prone to wind excitation. The study focused on the efficiency ofthe untuned mass dampers which are currently installed in the tubular aluminium tower legs.The study identified the characteristics of a damping device that would improve the dynamicperformance of these towers.

Specialized Structural Analysis SolutionsBridge Erection Software. Developed a program which can generate any series ofconstruction stages of a bridge to model and verify theentire erection sequence. The program deals with theeffects of creep and shrinkage of concrete towers andcomposite deck cable-stayed bridges on both geometryand stresses throughout the construction. The programmodels and accounts for the cast-in geometry and stresses which are a consequence of thebalanced cantilever method. It has been expanded to deal with tubular space trusses as deckmembers and to facilitate the erection modelling of suspension bridges as well as ordinarycomposite girder bridges. The geometry predicted by the program has shown excellent agree-ment with survey data obtained from the field. It is routinely used to model several hundredstages of construction.

Maximum Effects due to Live Load. Developed software which determines the maximum effects (forces or displacements) for anygiven member in a structure using the criteria from different bridge design codes or any projectspecific design criteria. This program provides both comprehensive numeric and graphic out-put. In addition, the flexible live load model makes it possible to efficiently evaluate the impli-cations of various live load criteria.

Load Case Combination.

Large bridge projects are often associated with project spe-cific design criteria, which include hundreds of load casesthat have to be considered in a multitude of combinations.To deal with these large numbers of combinations, a com-pletely general load combination program was developedto determine the worst member effects with all the concur-rent effects on for each element and to provide a complete description of the combinationrequired to achieve the effect. The software graphically represents effects and demand enve-lopes and also provides animation capabilities.

General Structural Experience (Continued)


Model Generation Program for Curved Bridges.

This program facilitates the generation of detailed struc-tural analysis models for bridges following arbitrary align-ments with either curved or segmented girders. Theprogram facilitates a geometrically precise layout of boththe highway alignment and the bridge superstructure com-ponents so that the resulting structural model representsthe actual geometry of the finished bridge. Superelevation,on and off ramps and splitting decks are easily accommodated.

Time Signal Manipulation and Analysis

This program can manipulate multiple time history recordsand perform all the typical transformations necessary forearthquake engineering, including the computation ofresponse spectra. The graphic display capabilities of thisprogram have made it invaluable in the interpretation oftime history information generated by both geotechnicaland structural analysis software.

General Section Property Program

This graphic program computes the section properties forarbitrarily shaped composite cross-sections. Mass andstiffness are treated separately so that both correct massmoment of inertia (including non structural elements) and stiffness properties can be obtainedfor the modelling of structures.

PublicationsFelber, A. J., Morgenstern, B., Queen, D., Zhu T.J., and Latendresse V., “Demolition of the U.S. Grant Suspension Bridge”,19th International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, June, 2002.Felber, A. J., Taylor, P., Griezic, A., Bergman, D., and Torrejon, J., “Erection Geometry and Stress Control of CompositeDecked Cable-Stayed Bridges”, IABSE-Conference: Cable-supported Bridges, Seoul, Korea, June 12-14, 2001.Felber, A. J., Morgenstern B., Kim, N., “Static and Dynamic Calibration of a Suspension Bridge Model for StructuralAssessment”, 8th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, Canada, 1999.Felber, A. J., “Practical Aspects of Testing Large Bridges For Structural Assessment”, First International Workshop onStructural Health Monitoring, Proceedings pp. 577-588, Stanford University, Stanford CA, September 18-20, 1997.Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R., “Advances in Ambient Vibration Testing: Ganter Bridge, Switzerland”, Structural EngineeringInternational, 3/96, pp. 187-190, 1996.Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R., “Introduction of a New Ambient Vibration Testing System - Description of the System and SevenBridge Tests”, EMPA Report-No. 156’521, Dübendorf, Switzerland, 1996.Deger, Y., Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R. and de Smet, C. A. M., “Dynamic Modelling and Testing of a Cable-Stayed PedestrianBridge”, Proceedings 14th International Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, February 1996. de Smet, C. A. M., Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R. and Krämer, C., “Ambient Vibration Study of the New Rheinbridge for HighwayN4”, Proceedings 14th International Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, February 1996.Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R. and de Smet, C. A. M., “Ambient Vibration Study of the Ganter Bridge”, Proceedings 14thInternational Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, February 1996.Felber, A. J., and Ventura, C. E., “Frequency Domain Analysis of the Ambient Vibration Data of the Queensborough BridgeMain Span”, Proceedings 14th International Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, February 1996.Felber, A. J., Taylor, P. R., Van Selst, A., Ventura C. E. and Prion, H. G. L. “Seismic Assessment of Existing Bridges - OneRole for Dynamic Testing”, ‘Bridges into the 21st Century’ Conference Proceedings, pp. 765-722, Hong Kong, October 2-5, 1995.

Specialized Structural Analysis Solutions (Continued)


Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R., de Smet C. A. M. and Deger, Y., “Dynamic Testing of a Steel/Concrete Composite Bridge”,‘Bridges into the 21st Century’ Conference Proceedings, pp. 757-764, Hong Kong, October 2-5, 1995.Deger, Y., Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R. and Pietrzko, S., “Optimization of Finite Element Model of Large Structures Based onDynamic Testing Results”, International Symposiums Non-Destructive Testing in Civil Engineering, pp. 345-352, Berlin,September 26-28, 1995.Ventura, C. E., Felber, A. J., Prion, H. G. L., Taylor, P. R. and Van Selst, A., “Dynamic Characteristics of Port Mann Bridgeby Modal Testing”, Proceedings, IABSE Symposium, Extending the Life of Structures, Proceedings, Volume 73/2, pp. 1129-1134, San Francisco, August 22 -25, 1995.Kemp, B. G., Ventura, C. E., Anderson, D. L. and Felber, A. J., “Ambient Vibration Measurement of Ruskin Dam for SeismicAssessment”, 7th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering, pp. 641-648, Montreal, 1995.Ventura, C. E., Finn, W. D. L. and Felber, A. J., “Ambient Vibration Study of the Painter Street Overpass”, 7th CanadianConference on Earthquake Engineering, pp. 787-794, Montreal, 1995.Felber, A. J., Cantieni, R., and Deger, Y., “Optimierung des numerischen Tragwerkmodells einer Stahlbetonbrücke anhandunter Verkehr gemessener Schwingungen”, GESA-Kolloquium, Experimentelle Verfahren zur Lösung BautechnischerAufgaben, VDI Berichte 1196, pp.175-184., June 6-8, 1995Felber A. J., and Ventura C. E., “Port Mann Bridge Modal Testing and Model Correlation; Part 1: Experimental Testing andModal Analysis,” Proceedings 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 1150-1156,February 1995.Ventura C. E., Felber, A. J., Prion, H. G. L., Taylor, P. R. and van Selst, A., “Port Mann Bridge Modal Testing and ModelCorrelation; Part 2: Dynamic Modelling and Correlation,” Proceedings 13th International Modal Analysis Conference,Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 1157-1163, February 1995. Ventura C.E., Schuster, N. D., Felber, A. J. and Pao, J., “Ambient Vibration Testing of a 32-Storey Reinforced ConcreteBuilding,” Proceedings 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 1164-1170, February1995.Ventura C. E., Felber A. J. and Prion H.G.L. “Dynamic Evaluation of a Medium Span Bridge by Modal Testing”, Proceedings4th Short and Medium Span Bridge Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, pp. 545-556, August, 1994.Schuster, N. D., Ventura C.E., Felber, A. J. and Pao, J., “Dynamic Characteristics of a 32-Storey High-Rise Building DuringConstruction,” Proceedings, 5th US National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Chicago, Illinois, Vol. II, pp. 701-710,July 1994.Ventura, C.E., Felber, A. J. and Stiemer, S.F., “Dynamic Characteristics of Bridges by Experimental Investigations ofAmbient Vibrations - Queensborough Bridge,” Proceedings of the 5th US National Conference on Earthquake Engineering,Chicago, Illinois, Vol. II, pp 733-742, July 1994.Ventura, C. E., Felber, A. J. and Prion, H. G. L., “Seismic Evaluation of a Long Span Bridge by Modal Testing,” Proceedings,12th International Modal Analysis Conference, Hawaii, February, 1994, pp. 1309-1315.Felber, A. J., “Development of a Hybrid Bridge Evaluation System”, Ph. D. Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering,University of British Columbia, 1993, pp. 277.Filiatrault, A., Tinawi, R., Felber, A. J., Ventura, C. E. and Stiemer, S. F., “Modal Analysis of the Cable-Stayed ShipshawBridge in Jonquiere, Quebec”, Proceedings, 11th International Modal Analysis Conference, pp. 14-20, Kissimmee, Florida,1993.Stiemer, S. F. and Felber, A. J., “An Object Oriented Approach to Ambient Vibration Measurement Analysis”, ASCE Journalof Computing, Vol. 7, No. 4, pg. 420 - 438, 1993.Felber, A. J. and Stiemer, S. F., “An Object Oriented Approach to Ambient Vibration Data Analysis for Bridges”, Proceedings,1992 CSCE Annual Conference, Quebec City, Vol. IV, pp. 375-384, 1992.Felber, A. J., “RESPONSE: A Program to Determine Load-Deformation Response of Reinforced Concrete Sections”, M.A.Sc.Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, 1990, pp. 148.

Publications (Continued)


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Cable-Stayed Bridge Experience