Numerical and experimental studies of the Braga Sports Stadium suspended roof

Abstract

This paper describes a set of dynamic numerical and experimental studies conducted on the suspended roof of the Braga Municipal Sports Stadium. Modal parameters, calculated from a numerical model of the constructed structure that takes into account the geometrically nonlinear structural behaviour and the progressive application of loads, are compared with the corresponding parameters identified on the basis of an ambient vibration test. Particular attention is given to modal damping identification due to the necessity of analysing the susceptibility of the suspended roof to buffeting effects.

Keywords:

• cables
• numerical modelling
• geometric nonlinearities
• dynamic testing
• ambient vibration tests
• free vibration tests

Acknowledgements

The paper is partly based on a consultancy study developed at the request of the Design Office Afassociados, at Porto. The authors acknowledge the authorisation to publish results, information, pictures, drawings and exchange of ideas with our colleagues Professor Adão da Fonseca, Rui Furtado, Rui Oliveira, Carlos Quinaz and Renato Bastos. Experimental testing of the stadium roof was developed in the context of the research activities of the Laboratory of Vibrations and Monitoring (ViBest) under funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology FCT.