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Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093

11th International Conference on Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques,

MBMST 2013
Analysis of Geometrical and Mechanical Properties of Cable-Stayed
Bridge
Verners Straupea, Ainars Paeglitisb
a, b
Institute of Transport Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, Azenes st. 16, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia

Abstract

A mathematical model for analysing the interaction between elements of cable-stayed bridge is proposed. The influence of geometrical,
mechanical and physical parameters of cables, pylons and stiffening girder on the behaviour of all structure is observed. Some results and
useful recommendations about optimal solution from economical and technical point of view are presented. A way to improve the fatigue
conditions of the cable-stayed bridge is installation of active devices, which in the exact moment can decrease deformations and stresses
by transferring them from elements with poor load bearing capacity to elements with higher capacity. Properties of such a system can be
examined by the proposed approach.

2013
2013The
TheAuthors.
Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd.access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Ltd. Open
Selectionand
Selection andpeer-review
peer-review under
under responsibility
responsibility of the of the Vilnius
Vilnius Gediminas
Gediminas TechnicalTechnical
UniversityUniversity.

Keywords: cable-stayed bridge, post-tensioning, cables, stiffness girder, pylon, active devices.

1. Introduction

The influence of cables and stiffening girder parameters on deformations and strains in the cable-stayed bridge system
are presented in previous publications [1]. A possibility was found to reduce the bending stiffness of girder and the cross-
section of cables simultaneously, without changes in the defined optimal bending moment diagram. In this case the critical
factor remains the value of allowable deflection. As a result material consumption can be reduced and the most economical
solution can be found [2]. Fig. 1 shows the linear relationship between the required cross-sections for three pairs of cables,
depending on assumed stiffness of girder. Figs 2 and 3 show how positive and negative bending moment peak values in
beam are affected by cross-section of cables and stiffness of girder.

Fig. 1. The required values of stiffness of cables EvFs depending on EsI of the stiffening girder


* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: averners@celuprojekts.lv; bainars.paeglitis@rtu.lv

1877-7058 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.137
 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093 1087

These regularities allow making effective preliminary assumption of the parameters of cable-stayed bridge [3]. Graphical
correlations are obtained by analytically solving the system of differential equations representing the deformed shape of a
statically undetermined and geometrically nonlinear cable system. In fact, the presented analytical approach allows detailed
analysis on the following systems characteristics:
distribution of stresses in girder depending on location of cables anchors;
concept of tensile force regulation in cables;
influence of variable loads on fluctuation of stresses in load bearing elements;
some guidelines for installation of an intelligent cable adjusting system (variable pre-stress of cables according to load
condition on the bridge).

Fig. 2. Maximum positive and negative bending moments of stiffening girder depending
on the stiffness EvFs of cables (constant value EsI is used)

Fig. 3. Maximum positives and negative bending moments of stiffening girder depending
on its stiffness EsI (constant values of EvFs for cables are used)

Previously mentioned options of presented analytical method are analyzed in this paper.

2. The mathematical background

The observed cable-stayed bridge analysis method is based on a mathematical model describing deformed shape of
structure. Obtained equations show relationship between strains in elements and their deformations. Each force acting on the
stiffening girder (support reactions, the cable tension forces, dead load, variable loads, etc.) is observed separately, but the
state of overall system is found using the principle of superposition as a sum of individual actions. The physical and
geometrical non-linearity characteristic for elements of cable-stayed system is taken in to account [4].
The stiffening girder of cable-stayed bridge is observed as a multi-span beam with some rigid (the ends of the beam and
at pylons) and some elastic supports (at the anchor points of cables). The differential Eq. (1) of deformed shape of axle for a
statically undetermined beam is solved with unknown reaction forces in points of elastic supports:

Es Iy ''( x) = M ( x ) (1)

Here: y(x) equation of the axle deformations; M(x) bending moment of the beam.
1088 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093

The required (user defined) values of optimal bending moment peak points Mreq(x) are defined. In order to obtain such a
moment diagram, system of Eqs. (2) is solved and the matrix of cable forces P is found:

P = [ M P 0 (d , x)]1 [ M req ( x) M d ( x)] (2)

Here: MP0(d,x) bending moment diagram caused by unit force in cable located in distance d; Md(x) bending moment
diagram caused by dead load.
The corresponding stiffness of girder and displacements of elastic supports are found which gives the required bending
moment diagram. Stiffness of cables is determined which give the same reactions and displacements as elastic supports.
Resulting moment diagram is obtained by summing moment diagrams from dead load, live load and vertical reactions of
elastic supports. Diagram of stiffness girder axial force caused by horizontal components of cable forces is found as well.
The height of pylons and slope of cables must be assumed.
Now the diagrams of stresses caused by bending moment and axial force in stiffness girder can be drawn.

3. Task of optimal solution

The above considerations give an idealized bending moment diagram in the stiffening girder the diagram with equal
positive and negative values of peak points [5]. Such a bending moment diagram is shown in left side of Fig. 4. This
diagram fits best for bridges with steel girder since this material has the same allowable tensile and compressive stresses [6].
Horizontal components of tensile forces in cables give axial forces and compressive stresses in stiffening girder as well.
Compressive stress caused by axial force acts equal in both the upper and lower fibres of cross-section and increases in the
sections located closer to the pylons.
More sophisticated considerations have to be used for concrete stiffening girder since the allowable tensile stress (which
can be prevented using internal or external pre-stressed tendons) is significantly less than the allowable compressive stress.
Optimal solution can be found by reducing values of bending moment diagram for concrete girder in panels further from
pylons where axial force is smaller [7].
The optimal placement of anchors and regulation forces of cables will be searched in order to obtain less tensile stresses
in concrete stiffening girder.

4. Improvement of systems geometry

4.1. Description of the system

A symmetric three-span cable-stayed bridge will be observed. The central span (260 m) is divided in 21 panels, but back-
spans (80 m) in 8 panels. Thus, the central span is supported by 10 cables at each pylon, but the back-spans by 7 cables
(see Fig. 4). Three remaining cables in this example will be anchored to massive supports at the ends of the bridge. The
mission of these three cables is to balance the pylon. Desirable deformed shape of stiffening girder is fully achieved by
regulation (pre-stressing) of the cables.
The optimal division of girder in panels is discussed before [8]. Now the same task is solved for any arbitrary panel
length and necessary cable tensile forces are found to provide the same absolute value of maximum positive and negative
bending moments within each individual panel.
The number of cables in each span is less by one than the number of panels. Therefore the system of equations for the
combined model, which gives the optimal values of cable forces (i.e. the reactions of elastic supports) contains more
unknowns than equations [9]. An appropriate solution is to discard the goal to minimize the bending moment value of
stiffening girder at rigid supports (pylons). In practice these areas should be pre-stressed with tendons in order to reduce the
tensile stresses. This solution is usually necessary for the cantilever construction method.
The required cable tensile forces are found by solving the system of equations. The bending moment diagram of
stiffening girder from cable tension forces is shown in the Fig. 4, which is optimal for observed system of the bridge. The
height of pylons is chosen so that the inclination angle of the longest cable is 25.
Assumptions described above are necessary to compare tensile forces in cables as well as axial forces and compressive
stresses in the girder of various modifications of the system [10]. Two options of erection of stiffening girder are observed:
erection using temporary supports then adding cable forces after joining of whole girder [11] and erection using cantilevers
adding cables step by step.
It should be noted that in the first option axial tensile force arises in the girder in middle part of the central span, but
second option allows to avoid negative tensile force at all.
 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093 1089

4.2. Minimization of stresses in the stiffening girder

The analysis of stresses in stiffening girder leads to conclusion that part of the span, which is located closer to the pylons
is in a more favourable position because it has higher axial compression force, which reduces or completely eliminates
tensile stresses caused by the bending moment. A logical target is to minimize bending moments in area of stiffening girder
with lower values of axial compression force the middle of central span.
The mathematical model is improved to minimize the tensile stresses in stiffening girder. It can be achieved by reducing
the distance between the cable anchor-points in areas where it is desirable to reduce the bending moments. The optimal
solution is found by introducing a parameter dx [m], representing the difference of length of two adjacent panels.
Fig. 4 compares bending moments M, axial forces NG and stresses in upper and lower fibres in cross-section of
stiffening girders of two systems: with a constant length of the panel (parameter dx = 0 m) on the left and with variable
(dx = 1,0 m) length of the panel on the right. Here erection using temporary supports is used.
Different assumption must be used if the construction works are carried out using cantilever method mounting of
panels and cables step by step [12]. The final regulation of the cables also should be carried out after mounting process but
adjustments are smaller than in case of temporary supports. Cantilever method is used when crossing deep valleys, rivers or
there are other obstacles that rule out construction of temporary stays or piers with scaffolding [13].

Fig. 4. The diagrams of bending moment (M), axial force (NG) and stresses () for two modifications of cable-stayed bridge system: with constant (left) and
with decreasing (right) distance between anchor-points of cables; construction method with temporary supports is applied

Fig. 5. The diagrams of axial force in stiffness girder (NG) and stresses () for two modifications of bridge system: with constant (left) and with decreasing
(right) distance between anchor-points of cables; cantilever construction method is applied

The stresses arising in stiffening girder can be changed depending on the division into panels. Right sides of Figs 4 and 5
show moments, tensile forces and stresses resulted from improved location of cable anchors. The optimal division of
stiffening girder into panels makes possible to avoid tensile stresses almost at all.
1090 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093

Fig. 6. Maximal tensile stresses in the stiffening girder depending on reduction parameter of distance between anchor-points dx:
for erection using temporary supports (blue line) or with cantilever method (red line)

As a result of analysis chart with the maximum tensile stresses in the middle of the central span, depending on the
parameter dx is shown in the Fig. 6 (stress peaks in the area of rigid support at pylons are not discussed in this section as
they must be avoided using pre-stressing). Optimal adjustment of forces in cables and finding an optimal divisions
parameter lead to significant reduction of tensile stresses in stiffening girder.

4.3. Unification of tensile forces in cables

The changes of tension forces in cables during the solution described in section 3.2 will be investigated in this section.
In the case of equal division of the girder in panels (i.e. parameter dx = 0), the shortest cables (nearest to pylons) have
lower tensile forces (line No. 1 in both graphs shown in Fig. 7), but the longer cables have higher tensile force (line No. 7
for the back-span and line No. 10 for central span). Fig. 7 shows that by increasing of parameter dx the tensile forces in
shortest cables tend to increase, but forces in longer cables decrease. This regularity is true for all the cables in the system.

Fig. 7. Tensile forces of cables depending on reduction parameter of distance between anchor-points dx: three back-span cables
(No. 1 shortest cable; No. 7 longest cable) and four central span cables (No. 1 shortest cable; No. 10 longest cable) are presented

It can be seen in the charts that optimal value of parameter dx exists which gives a result with tension forces in all cables
approximately with the same values. In this case the condition of stresses in all cables will be similar which is significant
achievement from the point of view of cables durability.
In given example the value of parameter dx equal to approximately 0.4 m is optimal in order to unify forces in all cables.
At the same time this value is not optimal for minimizing tensile stresses in stiffening girder. So a compromise must be
made.

5. The influence of variable loads

Further the proposed methodology will be developed by analyzing the impact of moving point load. The main difference
in comparison with permanent distributed load case is the individual potential minimum bending moment for each section,
which basically depends only on the systems geometry, or more correctly from length of individual panels (span between
anchorage nodes of cables). Because of the ease of graphical representation an example will be displayed were central span
is divided into 7 panels.
It is now necessary to define the desired values of bending moment in each position of moving load. This assumption can
be made by taking into account that the difference between maximum positive (in the node where load is located) and
negative (at the end of the panel the node where the cable is anchored) moment for each panel is a constant [14]. This
 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093 1091

constant, which depends on the ordinate z of location of point load, can be determined by the Eq. (3), which graphically is
depicted in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8. The lowest bending moment which can be achieved in every section of central span if the optimal adjusting of intelligent cables is made

bz 2 ( z ) 1
M min ( z ) = P0 ( z bz1 ( z ) )
bz 2 ( z ) bz1 ( z )
(3)

Here: bz1(z) ordinate of the beginning of the panel in which the point load is located; bz2(z) ordinate of the end of the
panel in which the point load is located.
The bending moment with least possible extreme values caused by variable loads can be achieved by introduction of an
intelligent cable adjusting system a system acting as a group of mechanisms monitoring displacements of some nodes
and adjusting separate cables depending on the location and acting of the variable loads.
Let us assume that the optimal bending moment diagram is obtained if the value in the node where point load is located
is equal to +0.5Mmin(z), but at the both ends of this panel equal to 0.5Mmin(z). Then the necessary vertical component of
cable forces N can be found by solving the system of equations:

M min ( z )
N ( z ) M R '+ M P ' =
2 (4)

Here:
M R (b1 ,1) M R (b1 , 2) M R (b1 , i )

M (b ,1) M R (b2 , 2) M R (b2 , i )
MR ' = R 2


M
R i ( b ,1) M R (bi , 2) M R (bi , i )
(5)

M P (b1 , z )

M (b , z )
M P '( z ) = P 2


M
P i (b , z ) (6)

In matrix (5) MR(bj,n) = MR(bn,j), which leads to inverse matrix (MR)-1 with none-zero members only around the main
diagonal.
The vertical component of cable forces is found as follows:

1 M min ( z )
N ( z) = ( M R ') M P '( z )
2 (7)

Now it is possible to draw a bending moment diagram for the moving point load P0 located in an arbitrary distance z
from the pylon:

i
M ( x, z ) = N ( z ) n M R ( x, n) + M P ( x, z )
n =1 (8)
1092 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093

Fig. 9. The bending moment after intelligent adjusting of cables for two random situations: the point load P0 is applied to nodes z1 = L/2 and z2 = L/4

Fig. 10. The bending moment in case of intelligent adjusting of cables for two random sections (z1 = L/2 and z2 = L/4),
when the point load P0 is moving across the bridge

The bending moment diagram of stiffening girder from point load acting in some random sections (Fig. 9) shows that
desired effect is reached the absolute values of maximum positive and negative bending moments are the same.
Obtained function (8) can be used for estimation of bending moment in any section when point load is moving across the
bridge (Fig. 10).

6. Concept of intelligent cables

It is important to investigate how the tensile forces in cables should change when the point load is moving over the
bridge in order to secure the desired bending moment diagram. Curves given in Fig. 11 represent the vertical component of
each cable tensile force. Such action of cables is required for an intelligent system [15].

Fig. 11. The adjusting forces N1, N2 and N3 of three side cables depending on location x of point load P0

From these graphs we can conclude that in an intelligent system the adjustment of tensile forces is required only for
both ends of the panel in which the moving point load is located and for both shortest cables. This conclusion follows
logically from the nature of the resulting bending moment diagram which changes its value only in three panels both outer
panels as well as the one in which the point load is located.
Analysis shows an important conclusion: the desired effect can be obtain with tensioning of only some cables without
necessity to loosen any other which could lead to the complete exclusion of these cables (in case with relatively low value
of permanent loads) and thus to the systems geometrical non-linearity [16].
Results show that integration of intelligent cable adjusting devices in observed system allows to reduce the maximal
bending moment in stiffening girder by approximately 10%. At the same time the maximal tension force in cables increases
by 3%.
Some tests with obtained mathematical method show that effectiveness of intelligent system can be estimated from
ratio:

S permanent
=
Stotal
(9)
 Verners Straupe and Ainars Paeglitis / Procedia Engineering 57 (2013) 1086 1093 1093

Here: Spermanet strain (bending moment in girder or tension in cable) caused by permanent action; Stotal total strain
including action of variable loads: vehicles, wind, temperature etc. [17].
With increasing of ratio the effectiveness of intelligent system reduces and vice versa. Consequently more attention
to adoption of such system is to be paid to cable systems with slender superstructure and relatively low self weight [18].
The benefit of reduction of strains in load bearing elements is not only based on economical reasons in order to save up
construction materials. Additionally less fluctuation between permanent and total strains allows to improve the fatigue
conditions of these elements. Consequently in a particular calculation the structural reliability must be examined [19] and
benefits offered by intelligent system must be considered.

7. Conclusions

Behaviour of a cable system under uniformly distributed load as well as under variable point loads can be analyzed by
studying deformations of their components. These correlations can be mathematically derived using the differential
equations of deformed shape of girder and the tensioning forces of cables caused by their extensions.
An optimal anchorage location of cables along the stiffening girder significantly reduces the maximal tensile stresses in
concrete elements. The cable forces can be unified as well.
The bending moment with least possible extreme values caused by variable loads can be achieved by introduction of an
intelligent cable adjusting system a system acting as a group of mechanisms monitoring displacements of some nodes
and adjusting separate cables depending on the location and acting of the variable loads. Benefit of such system is more
significant in cases with low value of ratio percentage of strains caused by permanent loads.
Considerations demonstrated in this paper enable economy of construction materials as well as improves the structural
reliability by reducing stress and strain fluctuations in main elements of cable-stayed bridges.

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the European Social Fund within the project Support for the implementation of
doctoral studies at Riga Technical University.

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