Abstract
The main structure of the Baishihu suspension bridge was connected to the anchor foundations by three main steel cables. The wooden pedestrian deck was fixed to the main steel cables using steel beams and was stabilized by two stabilizing cables. The stabilizing cables and bridge body were joined by 44 steel connecting rods. Therefore, the slope stability at the anchorage foundations of the main steel cables, as well as the performance monitoring and analysis of the main steel cables and stabilizing cables, are critical to the overall performance of the suspension bridge. This paper discusses the performance monitoring and analysis of the steel cable deflection and cable strength for this bridge, as well as the main considerations and results of the stability analysis of the bridge abutments and side slopes of the two banks. Water-level observation wells, inclinometers, and tiltmeters monitoring were used to record reference data for the analysis of the slope stability performance. Additionally, the three-dimensional dynamic analysis program VFIFE was used to analyze the deformation and motion of the bridge. The final steady-state results were used to compare the static design value and monitoring data. The dynamic response before the final steady state was also observed.
Highlights
Suspension bridges can be divided into the following five types depending on the installation method: (1) simple suspension bridges, (2) underspanned suspension bridges, (3) stressed ribbon bridges, (4) suspended-deck suspension bridges, and (5) self-anchored suspension bridges
The anchor foundations consisted of: (1) two anchor foundations for the main steel cables, which were each connected to 16 ground anchors with a prestressing force of 784.8 kN and to the main steel cables using hydraulic compression fittings; and (2) four anchor foundations for the stabilizing cables, which were each connected to four ground anchors with a prestressing force of 784.8 kN and to the stabilizing cables using hydraulic compression fittings
The slope performance analysis was performed for the abutment slopes on both sides of the suspension bridge
Summary
Suspension bridges can be divided into the following five types depending on the installation method: (1) simple suspension bridges, (2) underspanned suspension bridges, (3) stressed ribbon bridges, (4) suspended-deck suspension bridges, and (5) self-anchored suspension bridges. The components requiring inspection and maintenance are divided into the following items: (1) steel cables, (2) steel connecting rods, (3) anchor foundations, and (4) superstructure. To improve the operation and management safety of the suspension bridge, the Geotechnical Engineering Office of Taipei City Government commissioned a professional organization to design an inspection plan for 2011–2018 for the bridge foundation, stabilizing cable foundation, main body of the Baishihu suspension bridge, side slopes at both ends of the abutments, and surrounding groundwater level. Its main objectives are to monitor the stability of the suspension bridge foundation, ground anchors, steel cables, and side slopes, and to determine the optimum methods for the overall performance maintenance of the suspension bridge, ensuring pedestrian safety
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