Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 21, Number 4, November10 2005 , pages 375-392
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2005.21.4.375
 


Load deformation characteristics of shallow suspension footbridge with reverse profiled pre-tensioned cables
Ming-Hui Huang, David P. Thambiratnam and Nimal J. Perera

 
Abstract
    Cable supported structures offer an elegant and economical solution for bridging over long spans with resultant low material content and ease of construction. In this paper, a model of shallow cable supported footbridge with reverse profiled pre-tensioned cables is treated and its load deformation characteristics under different quasi-static loads are investigated. Effects of important parameters such as cable sag and pre-tension are also studied. Numerical results performed on a 3D model show that structural stiffness of this bridge (model) depends not only on the cable sag and cross sectional areas of the cables, but also on the pre-tension in the reverse profiled cables. The tension in the top supporting cables can be adjusted to a high level by the pre-tension in the reverse profiled bottom cables, with the total horizontal force in the bridge structure remaining reasonably constant. It is also evident that pre-tensioned horizontally profiled cables can greatly increase the lateral horizontal stiffness and suppress the lateral horizontal deflection induced by eccentric vertical loads.
 
Key Words
    suspension footbridge; structural stiffness; parameter study; reverse profile; pre-tension.
 
Address
Ming-Hui Huang and David P. Thambiratnam;
School of Urban Development, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Nimal J. Perera; Bird & Marshall Ltd, London, England
 

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