Theory Of Structures
Assignment 2
Submitted To:-
Er. Govind Gehlot sir
Submitted By:-
Prajakta Sushil Vaidyaa
• Suspension Bridge
• A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below
suspension cables on vertical suspenders.
• The basic structural components of a suspension bridge system include stiffening
girders/trusses, the main suspension cables, main towers, and the anchorages for
the cables at each end of the bridge.
• The main cables are suspended between towers and are finally connected to the
anchorage or the bridge itself, and vertical suspenders carry the weight of the
deck and the traffic load on it. Like other cable supported bridges, the
superstructure of suspension bridges is constructed without false work as the
cable erection method is used.
• The main load carrying member is the main cables, which are tension members
made of high-strength steel
• Suspension bridges typically consist of two parallel cables separated by a
distance approximately equal to the roadway deck width that they support.
• These cables act as tension elements and extend from anchors at each of their
ends over the tops of the intermediate towers.
• The deck is suspended by strong ropes running from the deck level to the main
cables.
• The main cables can consist of parallel strong wires that are aerially spun in
place or prefabricated wire ropes.
• The deck can be stiffened by a truss or by girder elements.
Hangers:
Truss elements could be used except for the principal rigid connection between
the girder and the main cables (at midspan), where beam elements should be
preferred, together with a specific submodel of the structure, including solid
elements, to account for hot spot stress checks.
The Advantages of Suspension Bridges
Cost Effective
There is a very minimal amount of materials needed in order to construct a
suspension bridge. The only other costs incurred are with the labor involved in
building it.
Can Be Built High Up
Suspension bridges can be built very high up over waterways. This is essential
for any area that needs to be able to allow passing ships to come through.
Span Great Lengths
The way that suspension bridges are constructed, and the materials that are
used, allow them to be able to span a great distance with minimal materials.
Has Flexibility
One common reason that the choice to build a suspension bridge is reached is if
it is being built in a high earthquake zone, like California. This is because
suspension bridges are flexible due to the cable system they are held up by. The
bridge can “move” with the wind and during natural disasters such as an
earthquake.
Simple Construction
No access is needed from below the bridge while it is being constructed,
making it a great choice for areas that ships and waterways need to stay clear.
The Disadvantages of Suspension Bridges
Soft Ground Issues
If the suspension bridge needs to be built in an area that has soft ground,
like over water, very extensive foundation work in order to make it safe
for heavy loads.
Too Flexible
Flexibility of the suspension bridge design is a major advantage, until
conditions become severe. Underneath extreme winds or very heavy the
load the bridge can move so much that the bridge would need to be
closed.
Cannot Support High Traffic
Since very little support is needed underneath the deck of the bridge,
and the cables are light, the bridges are very light weight. This restricts
the amount of traffic and the weight of heavy loads that can use it.
• Cable stayed Bridge
Cable-stayed bridge, bridge form in which the weight of the deck is
supported by a number of nearly straight diagonal cables in tension running
directly to one or more vertical towers. The towers transfer the cable forces to
the foundations through vertical compression The tensile forces in the cables
also put the deck into horizontal compression.
Construction of cable-stayed bridges usually follows the cantilever method, so
their construction begins with the sinking of caissons and the erection of
towers and anchorages. After the tower is built, one cable and a section of the
deck are constructed in each direction. Each section of the deck is prestressed
before continuing. The process is repeated until the deck sections meet in the
middle, where they are connected. The ends are anchored at the abutments.
Cable-stayed bridges are a popular choice as they offer all the advantages of a
suspension bridge but at a lesser cost for spans of 500 to 2,800 feet (152 to 853
meters). They require less steel cable, are faster to build and incorporate more
precast concrete sections.
•Cables stretch diagonally between these pillars or towers and the beam. These
cables support the beam.
•A cable-stayed bridge, one of the most modern bridges, consists of a continuous
strong beam (girder) with one or more pillars or towers inside the middle.
•The cables are anchored in the tower rather than at the end.
•Much greater stiffness than the suspension bridge, so that deformations of the
deck under live roads are reduced
•Can be constructed by cantilevering out from the tower – the cables act both as
temporary and permanent supports to the bridge deck.
•For a symmetrical bridge ( i.e. spans on either side of the tower are the same), the
horizontal forces balance and large ground anchorages are not required.
Cable Connection System
• Catenary Cable system
In this Cable System
cables takes shape where
load is excerted
• Polygonal Cable System
Polygonal Shape (Kinked
shape) is a function of
Concentrated Loads.
• Square Parabolic Cable System
It is a Function of uniformly
distributed , taoered, transverse
loads along the cable’s
horizontal base, such as a
triangular, or trapezoidal-
shaped load.
• Circular Cable System • Elliptical Cable System
Materials
• Copper
• Copper + Steel
• High Strength Steel
• Stainless Steel
• Bare Copper
• Tinned Copper
• Silver + Nickel Coated
