This　article　studies　the　seismic　response　of　a　symmetric　long-span　cable-stayed　bridge　under　longitudinal　uniform　excitations　by　finite　element　analysis　and　shaking　table　tests.　The　feasibility　and　method　of　performing　shaking　table　tests　are　examined　using　a　simplified　half-bridge　scale　model.　By　taking　advantage　of　the　symmetry,　it　is　possible　to　construct　a　scale　model　with　a　larger　scale　ratio　than　a　full-bridge　scale　model.　The　main　components　of　the　scale　model　(i.e.　tower,　piers,　girder,　and　cables)　were　fabricated　using　the　same　or　similar　materials　as　in　the　prototype.　The　design　and　construction　of　the　scale　model　is　presented.　Longitudinal　structural　responses　obtained　from　the　finite　element　analysis　and　shaking　table　tests　are　compared.　The　seismic　mitigation　effects　of　viscous　dampers　are　examined　through　shaking　table　tests.　©　The　Author(s)　2018.