Figueroa-Massanet, Ángel R.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Minimizing end stress in bridge stay cables
(2010) Figueroa-Massanet, Ángel R.; Papadopoulos, Christopher M.; College of Engineering; Suárez-Colche, Luis E.; Acosta, Felipe J.; Department of Civil Engineering; Vásquez, Ramón
The construction of cable stayed bridges has grown substantially in the last couple of decades, leading to increased concerns about their life and health. One of the main concerns of cable stayed bridge design is the high stress concentrations at the end of the cables. Nondimensionalized models are developed and presented that indicate end stress over a wide range of typical and limiting values of cable parameters. Several tables of graphs are generated that clearly show these behaviors. In particular, it is shown that the high concentration of stresses at the end of the cables can be greatly reduced by appropriately adjusting the combination of prescribe end rotation and the application of a spring near the end of the cable. In addition, three dynamic magnification factors are developed that serve to estimate the additional moments and stresses caused by dynamic loading, given any set of cable properties. This is particularly important for estimating stresses due to fatigue. The analyses and presentation of results in graphical form will enable engineers and designers to better understand the influences of key cable parameters, and will thus serve as important design aids.