Abstract
The influence of the stiffness of piers, pylons and deck in the behaviour of multi-span cable-stayed bridges under alternate live loads is analysed. The variation of these parameters is discussed considering both a harp cable system and a fan cable system. Different types of connections between pier-pylon and deck are also considered. Based on the behaviour of a three-span cable-stayed bridge, the variation of pier-pylon stiffness and deck stiffness was analysed. A similar state of stress and deflections was obtained for both a three-span and a multi-span cable-stayed bridge. The study shows that the harp type system presents advantages compared to fan type in terms of its behaviour under alternate live loads considering the same values of deck stiffness and pier-pylon stiffness. It is demonstrated that the resistant mechanism of multi-span cable- stayed bridges is provided by the pier-pylon element.
Highlights
Long-span bridge engineering has had important achievements since the end of the 20th century, mainly due to an increasingly global economic development, an improved theory of bridge design, and better construction methods
Based on the potential energy analysis of cable-stayed bridges, an extensive parametric study was presented by Hegab (1986)
The vertical deflection at the main span of the deck for the harp-type cable system results lower than the deflection of the fan type system
Summary
Long-span bridge engineering has had important achievements since the end of the 20th century, mainly due to an increasingly global economic development, an improved theory of bridge design, and better construction methods. The parametric analysis of multi-span cable-stayed bridges under alternate loads has been studied only slightly. Such condition is important because it is possible to generate both unacceptable stresses and deformations in the structural elements, which lead to instability problems in the kind of bridge mentioned. This paper analyses the influence of the stiffness of piers, pylons and deck on the behaviour of multi-span cable-stayed bridges under alternate loads. The variation of these parameters is discussed considering two configurations for the cable systems, harp and fan, as well as different types of connections between pier-pylon and deck. The behaviour of a three-span cable-stayed bridge is analysed until a similar state of stresses and deflections between the three-span cable-stayed bridge and a multi-span cable-stayed bridge is obtained
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