State Road 414 Bridge
A set of discreet damping devices to keep arches on a bridge from moving in the wind
A set of discreet damping devices to keep arches on a bridge from moving in the wind
Soon after opening, motorists reported visible movement of the bridge’s architectural double arches in light winds. RWDI identified that vortex shedding at just 8 mph matched the arches’ natural frequency, and their low damping made vibrations persist. To address this, we designed four tuned mass dampers, discreetly installed between the arches, to absorb wind energy and prevent motion. Since installation in 2012, the arches have remained stable, preserving both safety and aesthetics.