AbstractThe structure analysed herein is a tower and pier system of a long‐span suspension bridge. The tower shaft is modelled to allow classical normal modes decomposition in order to reduce higher modes. The pier is assumed to be rigid body free to translation as well as to rocking motion, being reacted by the surrounding soil compliance that is derived from a continuum mechanics approach. Linear and non‐linear soil and structural dynamic interaction is dealt with by random vibration theory with use of the linearization technique and complex modal analysis. Primary interest is placed on the investigation of the dynamic characteristics of the total interaction system and the rms response with change of the soil condition and input excitation level. Also discussed is the approximate response analysis, using classical normal modes for the interaction system, for purposes of practical des