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 three-dimensional view of the bridge.

Cable-stayed bridge with lateral cables.
Three-dimensional drawing of a cable-stayed bridge with lateral cables.

There are eight lateral cables; they are connected to the girder and four external foundations (a cable pair per foundation). The girder connections are located at approximately a quarter of the main span (s) and in the mid-span region. Figure 3 shows a lateral cable pair viewed from the mid-span region.

Lateral cables.
Two lateral cables of a cable-stayed bridge.

The lateral cables are sagging. The connections to the girder and to the external foundation are shown in figures 4 and 5, respectively.

Girder connection.
Connection between lateral cable and I-girder.

The web of the girder is connected by a bent round bar, and the cable termination consists of U-bolt clamps and a cable thimble.

External foundation connection.
Connection between lateral cable and external foundation.

The external foundation is made of an RC block, and the lateral cable pair is connected to it by a U-anchor. The cable pair is terminated with U-bolt clamps and a single cable thimble.

  • How efficient are the lateral cables?
    When are lateral cables required for a cable-stayed bridge?
  • Anchor Blocks

    Figure 6 shows the bridge entrance on shore 1.

    Bridge entrance.
    Cable-stayed bridge entrance.

    Anchor blocks A and B are shown in figures 6 and 7, respectively.

    Anchor block A.
    Anchor block connection using embedded U-anchors.

    The anchor block is connected by U-anchors; the distance (a) is the non-embedded length.

    Anchor block B.
    Damaged anchor block.

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

  • Does the damaged anchor block 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.

    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?