New mathematical models for suspension bridges

Filippo Gazzola
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
New mathematical models for suspension bridges
We suggest two new mathematical models in order to describe oscillations in
suspension bridges.
A Hamiltonian system is introduced as a model for a discretized version of a
bridge; this model enables us to explain some unexpected phenomena in bridges
and to numerically replicate their oscillations. Then we introduce a continuous
model, based on a variational problem related to a fourth order PDE.
The combination of these two models gives a detailed description of the statics
and dynamics of suspension bridges.
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