Strength, Flexural Rigidity and Aerodynamic Stability of Fiberglass Spans in Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

Abstract

At present, it is highly relevant to improve the safety of transport and pedestrians by crossing their paths at different levels. At the same time, to cross wide highways, it is rational to design pedestrian bridges without intermediate supports, namely suspension and cable-stayed bridges. In addition, numerous studies have confirmed the feasibility of using fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) as a material for load-bearing structures. However, in order to massively introduce FRP suspension bridge designs into production, it is necessary to improve the method of designing suspension bridges, which has been used mainly on steel and reinforced concrete bridges for decades. Therefore, the paper describes theoretical and experimental studies of strength, flexural stiffness (calculations are made taking into account geometric nonlinearity), as well as the aerodynamic stability of structures of single-span suspension bridges with main beams made of polymer composite materials. As a result of the research, the feasibility of designing FRP bridge structures within the framework of the adaptation concept was confirmed. The obtained conclusions will serve to improve the method of calculating suspension bridges with main beams made of polymer composites.