Experimental investigation on the performance of Cable-Girder anchorage structure of hybrid Cable-Stayed suspension bridges

Abstract

As the key component of the stay cable connecting the girder and tower in the hybrid cable-stayed suspension system, the cable anchorage structure needs to bear the powerful cable force transmission function. Compared with normal anchorages, the structural features of a new type of anchor box structure cable-girder anchorage (CGA) that has strong bearing capacity and more uniform stress distribution for a long-span hybrid cable-stayed suspension bridge with steel box girder was investigated by a 1:2 scale specimen test and a series of finite-element analysis. Through finite element analysis (FEA) and test results, the stress distribution and cable load transfer pathway of anchor box structure are obtained. The test results show that the CGA design is reasonable and reliable. The four welds connected to the anchor box support plates and the steel box girder webs bear 87% of the cable force load transfer, and the remaining 13% of the cable load is delivered from the anchor box bearing plate to webs. A large stress concentration in the six welds, but the maximum von Mises stress (VMS) of welds is 130–151 MPa. According to the parametric studies,the installation angle of the anchor box considerably affects the stress characteristics. Also, the thickness and length of the anchor box plate are changed, the transmission and distribution proportion of the cable force between the main welds of the anchor box increase alternately.