Spatial structural analysis of main saddle for single tower spatial cable self-anchored suspension bridge

Based on the engineering background of the Jiangxinzhou Bridge in Nanjing, issues related to the spatial main saddle of the self-anchored suspension bridge are studied. The refinement finite element model is established by the secondary development technology based on the platform of the general finite element program, and a reasonable load pattern is used in its spatial structural analysis, by which its path of force transference and stress distribution are obtained. Matched with the spatial main cable, the tangency point correction method is also discussed. The results show that the lateral wall stress of the saddle groove is higher than the stress within the wall due to the role of lateral forces in the finished bridge state; the horizontal volume force of the main cable can generate a gradient distributed vertical extrusion pressure on the saddle clamping device and the main saddle body; the geometric nonlinear effect of the self- anchored suspension bridge cable system in the construction process is significant, which can be reflected in the spatial tangent point position of the main cable with the main saddle changes a lot from free cable to finished cable.

Determination of reasonable finished state of self-anchored suspension bridges

A systematic and generic procedure for the determination of the reasonable finished state of self-anchored suspension bridges is proposed, the realization of which is mainly through adjustment of the hanger tensions. The initial hanger tensions are first obtained through an iterative analysis by combining the girder-tower-only finite element(FE) model with the analytical program for shape finding of the spatial cable system. These initial hanger tensions, together with the corresponding cable coordinates and internal forces, are then included into the FE model of the total bridge system, the nonlinear analysis of which involves the optimization technique. Calculations are repeated until the optimization algorithm converges to the most optimal hanger tensions(i.e. the desired reasonable finished bridge state). The "temperature rigid arm" is introduced to offset the unavoidable initial deformations of the girder and tower, which are due to the huge axial forces originated from the main cable. Moreover, by changing the stiffness coefficient K in the girder-tower-only FE model, the stiffness proportion of the main girder, the tower or the cable subsystem in the whole structural system could be adjusted according to the design intentions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is examined and demonstrated by one simple tutorial example and one self-anchored suspension bridge.

Test and numerical investigations on static and dynamic characteristics of extra-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridge under vehicle loads

The present work is aimed at studying the mechanic properties of the extra-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridge under static and dynamic vehicle loads. Based on the field test using 12 heavy trucks and finite element simulations, the static deformations of different components, stress increments and distributions of the girder, as well as the vibration characteristics and damping ratio of the Hunan Road Bridge were analyzed, which is the widest self-anchored suspension bridge in China at present. The dynamic responses were calculated using the Newmark-β integration method assisted by the simulation models of bridge and vehicles, the influences on the dynamic impact coefficient(DIC) brought by the vehicle parameters, girder width, eccentricity travel and deck flatness were also researched. The spatial effect of the girder is obvious due to the extra width, which performs as the stress increments distribute unevenly along the transverse direction, and the girder deflections and stress increments of the upper plate change as a "V" and "M" shape respectively under the symmetrical vehicle loads affected by the shear lag effect, cross slope and local effect of the wheels, the maximum of stress increments are located in the junctions with the inner webs. The obvious girder torsional deformation and the apparent unevenness of the hanger forces between the two cable planes under the eccentric vehicle loads, together with the mode shapes such as the girder transverse bending and torsion which appear relatively earlier, all reflect the weakened torsional rigidity of the extra-wide girder. The transverse displacements of towers are more obvious than the longitudinal ones. As for the influences on the DIC, the static effect of the heavier vehicles plays a major role when pass through with a higher speed and the changes of vehicle suspension stiffness generate greater impacts than the suspension damp. The values of DIC in the vehicle-running side during the eccentric travel, affected by the restricts from the static effects of the eccentric moving trucks, are significantly smaller than the vehicle-free side, the increase in the road roughness is the most sensitive one among the above influential factors. The results could provide references for the design, static and dynamic response analysis of the similar extra-wide suspension bridges.

Aerodynamic stability of cable-stayed-suspension hybrid bridges

Three-dimensional nonlinear aerodynamic stability analysis was applied to study the aerodynamic stability of a cable-stayed-suspension (CSS) hybrid bridge with main span of 1400 meters, and the effects of some design parameters (such as the cable sag, length of suspension portion, cable plane arrangement, subsidiary piers in side spans, the deck form, etc.) on the aerodynamic stability of the bridge are analytically investigated. The key design parameters, which significantly influence the aerodynamic stability of CSS hybrid bridges, are pointed out, and based on the wind stability the favorable structural system of CSS hybrid bridges is discussed.

Health monitoring and comparative analysis of time-dependent effect using different prediction models for self-anchored suspension bridge with extra-wide concrete girder

The structural health status of Hunan Road Bridge during its two-year service period from April 2015 to April 2017 was studied based on monitored data.The Hunan Road Bridge is the widest concrete self-anchored suspension bridge in China at present.Its structural changes and safety were evaluated using the health monitoring data,which included deformations,detailed stresses,and vibration characteristics.The influences of the single and dual effects comprising the ambient temperature changes and concrete shrinkage and creep(S&C)were analyzed based on the measured data.The ANSYS beam finite element model was established and validated by the measured bridge completion state.The comparative analyses of the prediction results of long-term concrete S&C effects were conducted using CEB-FIP 90 and B3 prediction models.The age-adjusted effective modulus method was adopted to simulate the aging behavior of concrete.Prestress relaxation was considered in the stepwise calculation.The results show that the transverse deviations of the towers are noteworthy.The spatial effect of the extra-wide girder is significant,as the compressive stress variations at the girder were uneven along the transverse direction.General increase and decrease in the girder compressive stresses were caused by seasonal ambient warming and cooling,respectively.The temperature gradient effects in the main girder were significant.Comparisons with the measured data showed that more accurate prediction results were obtained with the B3 prediction model,which can consider the concrete material parameters,than with the CEB-FIP 90 model.Significant deflection of the midspan girder in the middle region will be caused by the deviations of the cable anchoring positions at the girder ends and tower tops toward the midspan due to concrete S&C.The increase in the compressive stresses at the top plate and decrease in the stresses at the bottom plate at the middle midspan will be significant.The pre-deviations of the towers toward the sidespan and pre-lift of the midspan girder can reduce the adverse influences of concrete S&C on the structural health of the self-anchored suspension bridge with extra-wide concrete girder.

Study of Vertical Seismic Response of Concrete Self-Anchored Suspension Bridges

Based on the variational prineiple of incomplete generalized potential energy with large deflection, the vertical nonlinear vibrational differential equation of self-anchored suspension bridge is presented by taking the effect of coupling of flexural and axial action into consideration. The linear vertical equation is obtained by omitting the nonlinear term, and the pseudo excitation method(PEM). Taking the self-anchored concrete suspension bridge over Lanqi Songhua river for an example, the expected peak responses of main beam, towers and cables are calculated. And the seismic spatial effects on vertical seismic response of self-anchored suspension bridges are discussed.

Seismic Behavior Analysis of Steel Tower of Self-anchored Suspension Bridge

Self-anchored suspension bridge is composed of tower and its foundation, stiffened beam, main cable, sling, side pier and its foundation, auxiliary pier and its foundation. The performance and importance of the components of the bridge are different. The main tower of self-anchored suspension bridge is a very important component. Once the injury and damage occur under earthquake, it is not only difficult to inspect and repair, let alone replace. This paper calculates the seismic performance of self-anchored suspen-sion bridge steel tower based on the application of Wuhan Gutian Bridge steel tower.

Optimization of Dead Load State in Earth-Anchored Cable-Stayed Bridges

In order to determine the reasonable completed dead load state in earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges,a practical method is proposed. The method is based on the rigidly supported continuous beam method and the feasible zone method,emphasizing on the mutual effect between the self-anchored structural parts and the earth-anchored ones. Three cable-stayed bridge models are designed with the main spans of 1 400 m,including a partially earth-anchored cable-stayed bridge,a cable-stayed-suspension bridge and a fully selfanchored cable-stayed bridge,in which the C50 concrete and Q345 steel are adopted. The partially earthanchored cable-stayed bridge and the cable-stayed-suspension bridge secure lower compressive force in the girder than the fully self-anchored cable-stayed bridge by 25 percent at least. The same is for the material consumption of the whole bridge. Furthermore,the anchor volume is more than 20% lower in the partially earthanchored cable-stayed bridge than that in the cable-stayed-suspension bridge. Consequently,the practical span of cable-stayed bridges can be accordingly extended.

Study on seismic response control of a single-tower self-anchored suspension bridge with elastic-plastic steel damper

Elastic-plastic steel damper(EPSD) is a new device controlling seismic responses.The mechanical principle of EPSD was presented and a comparison was conducted between the theoretical formulas and finite element(FE) simulation of damper units.The verified force-displacement hysteretic curve of the damper system was obtained with reference to tests.The Nanjing Jiangxinzhou Bridge(NJB) was subsequently taken as the case to investigate the seismic response control effect of EPSDs on single-tower self-anchored suspension bridges.A 3-dimensional FE model of the bridge was established in ANSYS and the dynamic and static analyses of the bridge were conducted,the control effect of EPSDs under different seismic waves was further investigated through nonlinear time-history analysis based on the validated model.Results showed that both the simplified theoretical and FE simulation methods can preferable reflect the mechanical performance of EPSD,and that seismic responses of NJB with EPSDs are better than those with elastic connection device or fluid viscous damper.However,the control effect of EPSDs is influenced by seismic wave characteristics.

Calculation method on shape finding of self-anchored suspension bridge with spatial cables

Based on the spatial model,a reliable and accurate calculation method on the shape finding of self anchored suspension bridge with spatial cables was studiedin this paper.On the principle that the shape of the main cables between hangers is catenary,the iteration method of calculating the shapes of the spatial main cables under the load of hanger forces was deduced.The reasonable position of the saddle was determined according to the shape and the theoretical joint point of the main cables.The shapes of the main cables at completed cable stage werecalculated based on the unchanging principle of the zero-stress lengths of the main cables.By using a numerical method combining with the finite element method,one self-anchored suspension bridge with spatial cables was analyzed.The zero-stress length of the main cables,the position of the saddle,and the pre-offsetting of the saddle of the self-anchored suspension bridge were given.The reasonable shapes of the main cables at bridge completion stage and completed cable stage were presented.The results show that the shape-finding calculation method is effective and reliable.

Comprehensive Optimal Control on Seismic Response of a Single-Tower Self-Anchored Suspension Bridge

Earthquake may cause severe damage to all kinds of bridge such as the falling down of the girder; therefore,effective measures should be employed to control the seismic displacement. In this paper,the method of comprehensive optimal control,com-bined with analytic hierarchy process,is employed to investigate the seismic response control of the Nanjing Jiangxinzhou Bridge,which is a single-tower self-anchored suspension bridge （SSSB）. Also,3-dimensional nonlinear seismic response analyses are con-ducted. Three types of practical connection measures for seismic response control of SSSB are investigated,and the optimal pa-rameters of the connection devices are achieved by this method. Results show that both the elastic connection devices and the damp-ers with rational parameters can reduce the seismic displacement of the bridge effectively,but the elastic connection devices will in-crease the seismic force of the tower. When all factors are consid-ered,the optimal measure is by using the elastic connection devices and the dampers together. These results can provide references for seismic response control of SSSBs.

Experimental research on the multilayer compartmental particle damper and its application methods on long-period bridge structures

Particle damping technology has attracted extensive research and engineering application interest in the field of vibration control due to its prominent advantages, including wide working frequency bands, ease of installation, longer durability and insensitivity to extreme temperatures. To introduce particle damping technology to long-period structure seismic control, a novel multilayer compartmental particle damper (MCPD) was proposed, and a 1/20 scale test model of a typical long-period self-anchored suspension bridge with a single tower was designed and fabricated. The model was subjected to a series of shaking table tests with and without the MCPD. The results showed that the seismic responses of the flexible or semi-flexible bridge towers of long-period bridges influence the seismic responses of the main beam. The MCPD can be conveniently installed on the main beam and bridge tower and can effectively reduce the longitudinal peak displacement and the root mean square acceleration of the main beam and tower. In addition, no particle accumulation was observed during the tests. A well-designed MCPD can achieve significant damping for long-period structures under seismic excitations of different intensities. These results indicate that the application of MCPDs for seismic control of single-tower self-anchored suspension bridges and other long-period structures is viable.