General Information

Figure 1 shows a cable-stayed bridge that is used by motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Cable-stayed bridge.
Cable-stayed bridge over a river.
Type Single-span cable-stayed bridge
Main span ≅ 130 m
Deck width ≅ 2 m
Girder Steel twin I-girder
Pylon Reinforced concrete (A-type, longitudinal)
Stay cable arrangement Radial (two cable planes)

Lateral Cables

Figure 2 shows a schematic layout of the bridge.

Layout.
Layout of a cable stayed bridge with lateral cables.

The bridge has four lateral cables and two external foundations per shore; they are placed in pairs and connected to the girder and the external foundations. The girder connections are located at about a quarter of the span and the mid-span region. Figure 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of half main span, while figure 4 shows two lateral cables viewed from the mid-span region.

Three-dimensional view.
Three dimensional drawing of a cable stayed bridge sector with lateral cables.
Lateral cables (viewed from the mid-span region).
Two lateral cables of a cable stayed bridge.

The lateral cables are sagging. A main span and a shore connection are shown in figure 5.

Lateral cables connections.
Main span Shore (external foundation)
Connection between lateral cable and I-girder, and connection between lateral cable and shore.
  • What is the purpose of the lateral cables?
    When are lateral cables required for a cable stayed bridge?

    • Anchorages

    Figure 6 shows the bridge entrance on shore 1.

    Bridge entrance.
    Cable stayed bridge entrance.

    Anchorages A and B are shown in figures 7 and 8, respectively.

    Anchorage A.
    Main cable anchorage using embedded U-anchors.

    The U-anchors are embedded in concrete.

    Anchorage B.
    Front view Back view
    Anchorage with damaged concrete.

    The concrete is damaged, and the embedded U-anchor length is reduced.

  • Does the damaged concrete affect the structural behavior of the bridge?

    • Girder Deformation

    Figure 9 shows a side view of a main span sector viewed from shore 1.

    Main span.
    I-girder deformation of a cable-stayed bridge viewed from shore 1.

    I-girder deformation near shore 2 is noticeable. Figure 10 shows the deformed region viewed from shore 2.

    Main span.
    I-girder deformation of a cable-stayed bridge viewed from shore 2.
  • What are some possible deformation causes?
    What are the main structural consequences?

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