A mathematical model of a suspension bridge – case study: Adomi bridge, Atimpoku, Ghana.

Kwofie Richard Ohene1*, E. Osei – Frimpong*, Edwin Mends – Brew*, Avordeh Timothy King*

¹Department of Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

²Department of Mathematics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

³Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Accra Polytechnic, Accra.

⁴Department of Mathematics (IEDE), University of Education, Winneba.

Corresponding author Email: kintim5@yahoo.com

Accepted 12 June 2012

Abstract

The Lazer – McKenna mathematical model of a suspension bridge applied to the Adomi Bridge in Ghana is presented. Numerical methods accessible in commercially available Computer Algebraic System “MATLAB” are used to analyze the second order non-linear ordinary differential equation. Simulations are performed using an efficient SIMULINK scheme, the bridge responses are investigated by varying the various parameters of the bridge.

Keywords: Adomi Bridge, Suspension bridge, Matlab simulations, Mathematical model, Runge Kutta Method.