Longest Suspension Bridge Research Articles

Aesthetic Design for Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, part of the Honshu-Shikoku bridge project, is a suspension bridge with a center span of 1990 m. When completed in the spring of 1998, it will be the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is expected to be an attractive addition to the highly urbanized area of Kobe. Therefore, the aesthetic design needed careful consideration. A suspension bridge consists of horizontal stiffening trusses, gently curving main cables, a pair of vertical towers, and anchorages. Aerodynamic stability is important in its structural design. For the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, five types of towers were compared using 1:500 scale models. Given the fabrication and erection work for the structure, a basic truss-type design was chosen. Structural concerns dictated the shape of the stiffening trusses and the main cables. In the selection of color, the surrounding environment was studied. Further research using computer graphics and scale models and site appearance tests was carried out. Greenish-gray was finally chosen from among 30 candidate colors. To lessen the impact of the immense concrete anchorages, light and shadow effects were utilized, and vertical and horizontal indentation was adopted on the surface. The result will be structural beauty and optimum harmony of the bridge with its surroundings.

Aesthetic Design for Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, part of the Honshu-Shikoku bridge project, is a suspension bridge with a center span of 1990 m. When completed in the spring of 1998, it will be the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is expected to be an attractive addition to the highly urbanized area of Kobe. Therefore, the aesthetic design needed careful consideration. A suspension bridge consists of horizontal stiffening trusses, gently curving main cables, a pair of vertical towers, and anchorages. Aerodynamic stability is important in its structural design. For the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, five types of towers were compared using 1:500 scale models. Given the fabrication and erection work for the structure, a basic truss-type design was chosen. Structural concerns dictated the shape of the stiffening trusses and the main cables. In the selection of color, the surrounding environment was studied. Further research using computer graphics and scale models and site appearance tests was carried out. Greenish-gray was finally chosen from among 30 candidate colors. To lessen the impact of the immense concrete anchorages, light and shadow effects were utilized, and vertical and horizontal indentation was adopted on the surface. The result will be structural beauty and optimum harmony of the bridge with its surroundings.

Wind Tunnel Test of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge using Full Bridge Model

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is a suspension bridge under construction whose center span is 1, 990m. The bridge will be the longest suspension bridge in the world. Since the bridge is much longer than the present longest bridge, the aerodynamic characteristics of the bridge was evaluated through wind tunnel test using full bridge model as well as section model. This report outlines a study concerning the wind tunnel study using full bridge model in smooth flow and turbulent flow. The characteristics of flutter and gust responses observed in the wind tunnel test were shown and discussed.

Anchorages and Towers of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Japan

When completed, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge will be the longest suspension bridge in the world. It is a 3-span truss-stiffened suspension bridge designed to carry a 6-lane highway. Its main span lengt...

Installation of 187kV XLPE Power Cable along the Ohnaruto Suspension Bridge

This paper describes the technical study, design, testing, and installation of a 187kV 1 × 2000 mm2 XLPE power cable, the Naruto-Awaji Line, along the Ohnaruto Bridge, the tenth longest suspension bridge in the world. This is the first time that a power cable has been installed on a long-span suspension bridge. Also, this is the highest voltage XLPE long-distance power cable line in the world that employs joints. Therefore, many new techniques had to be developed and put into use for the installation of this line.