Study on the Stiffness, Carrying Efficiency and Fatigue Character of the End Anchor Cable

Abstract

Effects of stiffness, carrying efficiency and fatigue of the end anchor cable on the mechanical behavior of long span cable-stayed bridge, were discussed respectively. Firstly, the concept of the effective stiffness and the stress ratio were introduced to discuss the effects of the dead load stress level and the stress ratio on the effective stiffness of the end anchor cable. Secondly, the effect of the cable material on the vertical carrying efficiency of the structure was analyzed. Finally, the main influential factors on the fatigue performance of the end anchor cable were analyzed in detail. It is shown that improving the dead load stress level and keeping the low stress ratio would increase the effective stiffness of the end anchor cable. The section of the end anchor cable effects on stiffness of the structure under high stress level. It can be drawn that as a novel material, The CFRP end anchor cable will increase the load carrying level of the long span cable-stayed bridges. It can also be concluded that the length of side span and main span, the height of pylon, the area of the cable section and the live load collection degree are all the main effective factors to the stress amplitude of the end anchor cable. It is suggested that in the practical design of large span cable-stayed bridge, all the effective factors together with the global state of the structure should be taken into account comprehensively.