Suspension Structures

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Suspension Structures
Effect of:
Support
Form
Stability
1. Circular support to balance
lateral thrust
2. Bleachers to resist lateral thrust
3. Self weight: catenary funicular
4. Uniform load: parabolic funicular
5. Point loads: polygonal funicular
6. Point load distortion
7. Asymmetrical load distortion
8. Wind uplift distortion
9. Convex stabilizing cable
10. Dead load to provide stability
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Sag/span vs. force

Considering force vectors at support;

H = horizontal reaction

V = vertical reaction

T = tension of cable at support

Reveal, for a given vertical reaction:

Suspension structures

small sag = large force

Large sag = small force

Large sag requires costly tall

support

Optimal span/sag is usually ~10

Prof Schierle

Cable details
1
2

Strand (good stiffness, low flexibility)

E=22,000 to 24,000 ksi, 70% metallic
Wire rope (good flexibility, low stiffness)
E = 14,000 to 20,000 ksi, 60% matallic

3
4
5
6

Bridge Socket (adjustable)

Open Socket (non-adjustable)
Wedged Socket (adjustable)
Anchor Stud (adjustable)

A
B
C

Support elements
Socket / stud
Strand or wire rope

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Mast / cable details

The mast detail demonstrates typical use of
cable or strand sockets. Steel gusset plates
usually provide the anchor for sockets.
Equal angles A and B result in equal forces
in strand and guy, respectively.
A Mast / strand angle
B Mast / guy angle
C Strand
D Guy
E Sockets
F Gusset plates
G Bridge socket (to adjust prestress)
H Foundation gusset (at strand and mast)
I
Mast

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Loyola University Pavilion

Architect: Kahn, Kappe, Lottery, Boccato
Engineer: Reiss and Brown
Consultant: Dr. Schierle
Roof spans the long way to provide open view for
outdoor seating for occasional large events
Lateral wind and seismic loads are resisted by:
Roof diaphragm
In width direction by concrete shear walls
In length direction by guy cables and
Handball court walls
Guy cables resist lateral trust
Suspension cables resist gravity
Stabilizing cables:
resist wind uplift
resist non-uniform load
provide prestress

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Assume:
Suspension cables spaced 20 ft
Allowable cable stress Fa = Fy/3
Fa = 70 ks
LL = 12 psf (60% of 20 psf for trib. area>600 ft2
DL = 18 psf
= 30 psf
Uniform load
w= 30 psf x 20 / 1000
Global moment
M= wL2/8= 0.60x2402/8
Horizontal reaction
H= M/f= 4320/16
Vertical reaction
R= wL/2= 0.60x240/2
Cable tension (max.)
T=(H2+R2)1/2 =(270 2+72 2)1/2
Graphic method
Draw vector of vertical reaction
Draw equilibrium vectors at support
Length of vectors give cable force
and horizontal reaction
Suspension structures

Metallic cross section required

Am=T/Fa=279/70 ksi

w= 0.60 klf
M= 4320 k
H= 270 k
R= 72 k
T=279 k
Am=3.99 in2

Gross cross section (70% metallic)

Ag=5.70 in2
Ag=Am/0.70=3.99/0.7 0
Cable size
=2(Ag/)1/2=2(5.70/)1/2=2.69 in
Prof Schierle

use 2
7

Static model
Assume:
Piano wire as model cables
Geometric scale Sg = 1:100
Strain scale Ss = 1 (due to large deflections)
Original strand
Eo = 22,000ksi
Piano wire
Em = 29,000ksi
Eo/Em = 22/29
Eo/Em = 0.759
Original cross section area
Strand 2 3/4 (70% metallic)
Ao = 4.16in2
Ao = 0.7 r2 = 0.7 (2.75/2)2
Suspension structures

Force scale
Sf = Am Em / (Ao Eo)
To keep Ss = 1 adjust Am by Eo/Em ration
Try model cross section
Am = Sg2 Ao Eo/Em
Am = 0.0001x 4.16 x 0.759
Am = 0.0003157
Model wire size
= 0.0200
= 2(Am/)1/2 = 2(0.0003157/)1/2
Use available wire size
= 0.02
Am = 0.0003142
Am = 0.012
Force scale
Sf = AmEm/(AoEo)= 0.0003142 x 29000/(4.16x22000)
Sf = 1:10,000
Sf = 0.0001
Model load
Po = 144 k
Original load Po = w L = 0.6klf x240
Sf = Pm/Po Pm = Pc Sf
Pm = Po Sf = 144k x 1000 # / 10,000
Pm = 14.4 #
Load per cup
Assume 12 load cups (one cup per stay cable)
Pcup = 1.2#
Pcup = Pm/12 = 14.4#/12
Prof Schierle

Exhibit Hall Hanover

Architect: Thomas Herzog
Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann
Suspended steel bands of 3x40 cm (1.2x16 inch) support
prefab wood panels, filled with gravel to resist wind uplift.
In width direction the roof is slightly convex for drainage;
which also provides an elegant interior spatial form.
Curtain wall mullions are pre-stressed between roof and
footing to prevent buckling under roof deflection.
Unequal support height is a structural disadvantage since
horizontal reactions of adjacent bays dont balance; but it
provides natural lighting and ventilation for sustainability

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Exhibit Hall Hanover

(10 psf)
LL =
0.5 kN/m2
(25 psf)
DL =
1.2 kN/m2
=
1.7 kN/m2
(35 psf)
Suspenders 3x40 cm (~1x16), spaced at 5.5 m (18)

Given

Uniform suspender load

w= 1.7 kN/m2 x 5.5m

w = 9.35 kN/m

Global moment
M=wL2/8= 9.35 x 642 / 8

M= 4787 kN-m

Horizontal reaction
H= M/f= 4787/7

Suspension structures

H = 684 kN

Vertical reaction R (max.)

Reactions are unequal; use R/H ratio
(similar triangles) to compute max. R
R / H= (2f+h/2) / (L/2), hence
R= H (2f+h/2) / (L/2)
R= 684 (2x7+13/2)/(64/2)

R= 438 kN

Suspender tension (max.)

T= (H2+R2)1/2= (6842+438 2)1/2

T= 812 kN

Prof Schierle

10

Suspender tension
(from previous page)

T = 812 kN

Suspender cross section area

A= 0.03 x 0.4 m)

A = 0.012 m2

Suspender stress
f=T/A= 812/0.012= 67,667 kPa

f = 68 MPa

US units equivalent
68 MPa x 0.145 =

f = 9.9 ksi
9.9 < 22 ksi, OK

Graphic method
Draw vector of total vertical load W = w L
Draw equilibrium vectors parallel to cable tangents
Draw equilibrium vectors for right support
Draw equilibrium vectors for left support
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

11

Dulles Airport Terminal (1963)

Architect: Ero Saarinen
Engineer: Ammann and Whitney
150x600, 40-65 high
Concrete/suspension cable roof
Support piers spaced 40

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

12

Dulles Airport Terminal

Span
Sag
Support height differential
Strand spacing
Allowable strand stress

Uniform strand load

w = 50psf x5/1000
Horizontal reaction H = wL2/(8f)
H = 0.25x1502/(8x15)
Max. vertical reaction
R=H(2f+h/2)/(L/2)
R = 46.9(30+12.5)/(75)
Strand tension T =(H2+R2)1/2
T =(46.92+ 26.62)1/2
Cross section required (70% metallic)
A = 53.9/(0.7x70) ksi
Strand diameter = 2(A/ )1/2
=2(1.1/3.14)1/2 = 1.18
Use
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

L = 150
f = 15
h = 25
e = 5
Fa = 70 ksi
DL = 38 psf
LL = 12 psf
= 50 psf
w = 0.25 klf
H = 46.9 k

R = 26.6 k
T = 53.9 k
A = 1.1 in2

= 1 3/16
13

Skating rink Munich

Architect: Ackermann
Engineer: Schlaich / Bergermann
A prismatic steel truss arch of 100 m span, rising
from concrete piers, support anticlastic cable nets
A translucent PVC membrane is attached to wood
slats that rest on the cable net

Glass walls are supported by pre-stressed strands

to avoid buckling under roof deflection
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

14

Assume
All. strand stress Fy/3 = 210/3
DL = 5 psf 5 psf on arch
LL = 20 psf 12 psf on arch
=
25 psf 17 psf on arch

Fa = 70 ksi
5 psf
uplift 21 psf
16 psf

Cable net
Uniform load (cable spacing 75 cm = 2.5)
Gravity w= 25 psf x2.5/1000
w = 0.0625 klf
Wind p= 16 psf x 2.5/1000

p = 0.040 klf

Global moment
M= w L2/8= 0.0625 x 1102/8

M = 95 k

Horizontal reaction
H = M / f = 95 / 11

H = 8.6 k

Vertical reaction
R/H= (2f+h/2 ) / (L/2); R= H (2f+h/2 ) / (L/2)
R= 8.6 (2x11+53/2)/(110/2)
R = 7.6 k
Gravity tension (add 10% residual prestress)
T = 1.1 (H2 + R2)1/2
T = 1.1 (8.6 2 + 7.6 2 )1/2
T = 11.5 k
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

15

Gravity tension (from previous slide)

T = 11.5 k
Wind tension (10% residual prestress)
Wind suction is normal to surface, hence
T= 1.1 p r= 1.1 x 0.04 x 262
Wind T = 12 k
12 > 11.5
Wind governs
Metallic cross section area
(assume twin net cables, 70% metallic)
Am= 0.28 in2
Am = 0.7x2r2= 0.7x2(0.5/2)2
Cable stress
f = T/Am= 12 k / 0.28

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

f = 43 ksi
43 < 70, ok

16

Truss arch design (prismatic truss of 3 steel pipes)

Floor area 4,200 m2 / 0.30482

45,208ft2

Arch load
w = (45,208x17psf/328)/1000+0.26klf arch DL)
w = 2.6klf
Horizontal reaction
H= M/d = wL2/(8d)= 2.6x3282/(8x53)

H= 660k

Vertical reaction
R= w L/2 = 2.6 x 328 / 2

R = 426k

Arch force
C= (H2 + R2)1/2 = (6602 + 4262)1/2

C = 786k

Panel bar length (K=1)

3 bars, P ~ C / 3 ~ 786 / 3 ~ 262 k
Try 10 extra strong pipe

KL = 7

Pall = 328 > 262

3xP 10 ok
(244/25.4 =

9.6)

(267/25.4 = 10.5)

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

17

Oakland Coliseum
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

18

Oakland Coliseum
Architect/Engineer:
Skidmore Owings and Merrill
Radial cables, suspended from a concrete
compression ring and tied to a steel tension
ring, are stabilized against wind uplift and
non-uniform load by prefab concrete ribs.
Assume
Allowable cable stress
Fa= 70 ksi
(1/3 of 210 ksi breaking strength)
Cables spaced 13 @ outer compression ring
LL reduced to 60% of 20 psf per UBC
for tributary area > 600 sq. ft.)
LL = 12 psf (60% of 20 psf)
DL = 28 psf (estimate)
= 40 psf
+ 0.12 klf for concrete ribs
(0.15kcf x 4 x 29/144 uniform load)
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

19

Distributed load
w = 40 psf x 13/1000

w = 0 to 0.52 klf

Global moment (due to triangular roof load)

(cubic parabola with origin at mid-span)
Mx = w L2/24 (1 8 X3 / L3 )
For max. M at mid-span, X=0, hence
M = wL2 / 24= 0.52 x 4202 / 24
M = 3,822 k
Global moment (due to uniform rib load)
M = w L2/8 = 0.12 klf x 4202/8

M = 2,646 k

Moments = 3,822 + 2,646

M = 6,468 k

Horizontal reaction
H = M/f= 6,468/30
Vertical reaction
R = wL/2 = (0.52/2+0.12) x 420/2
Cable tension (max.)
T = (H2 + R2)1/2 = (216 2 + 80 2 )1/2
Metallic cross section required
Am = T/Fa= 230/70ksi
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

H = 216 k
R = 80 k
T = 230 k
Am = 3.3 in2
20

Recycling Center, Vienna (1981)

Architect: L. M. Lang
Engineer: Natterer and Diettrich
This recycling center is a wood structure of 170 m (560 ft)
diameter of 67 m (220 ft) height concrete mast.
The roof consists of 48 radial laminated wood ribs that
carry uniform roof load in tension but asymmetrical loads
may cause bending in the semi-rigid tension bands.
The mast cantilevers from a central foundation, designed
to resist asymmetrical erection loads and lateral wind load.
The peripheral pylons are triangular concrete walls.

Suspension structures

1
2
3
4

Cross section
Roof plan
Top of central support mast
Tension rib base support

A
B
C
D
E

Laminated wood ribs, 20x80-110 cm (7.8x32-43 in)

Laminated wood ring beams, 12x39 cm (5x15 in)
Wood joists
Steel tension ring
Steel anchor bracket

Prof Schierle

21

Clifton Suspension Bridge, UK, 214 m span, 1831

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

22

Danube Bridge, Budapest, 220 m span, 1840

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

23

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, 4200 m main span, 1934

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

24

Tacoma Narrows Bridge, 853 m span, 7, 1, 1940 - 11, 7, 1940

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mclp9QmCGs

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

25

Exhibit Hall 8/9, Hanover, Germany, 245x345m, 1998

Architect: GMP
Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9fbRcRJY34
Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

27