General Information
Figure 1 shows a pedestrian suspension bridge.
![Pedestrian suspension bridge over a river](bridges/suspension-bridges/bridge-18/1-suspension-bridge.jpg)
Type | Three-span suspension bridge |
Main span | ≅ 160 m |
Deck width | ≅ 1.5 m |
Deck width to main span ratio | ≅ 1:106 |
Pylon | Reinforced concrete (H-shaped) |
Girder | Steel truss |
Gusset Plates
Figure 2 shows a side view of a main span sector.
![Truss with gusset plates](bridges/suspension-bridges/bridge-18/2-gusset-plates.jpg)
The truss members consist of L-profiles that are connected by welded gusset plates. Figure 3 shows an upper truss node viewed from the back.
![Truss with gusset plates](bridges/suspension-bridges/bridge-18/3-gusset-plates.jpg)
The gusset plate length l ≅ 80 cm, and the thickness ≅ 1 cm.
Hanger Cable to Truss Connection
Figure 4 shows a hanger cable to truss connection viewed from the front.
![Hanger cable to truss connection](bridges/suspension-bridges/bridge-18/4-hanger-truss-connection.jpg)
The hanger cable is connected to the gusset plate and the upper chord by a steel unit and two bolts-nuts. The steel unit consists of three welded plates, as shown in figure 5.
![Steel unit of a hanger cable to truss connection](bridges/suspension-bridges/bridge-18/5-hanger-truss-connection.jpg)
Plates 1 and 2 are placed perpendicular to each other; plate 3 is inclined at an angle α.
Would a steel unit with a single vertical plate create a structural safety or serviceability problem?