ERJ– Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra Octoberr 25 2015

An Approximate analysis for suspension cable bridges with

inclined hangers and three-dimensional cable

Ezz.K.Mohameda.*, WalidAL.Attiab ,EEhabKhalilc, Ahmed M. Salehd

a
.*Construction Research Institute, MWRI, Egypt, b. Faculty of engineering, Cairo University,
Egypt, c. Construction Research Institute, MWRI, Egypt, d. Faculty of engineering, Cairo
University, Egypt,

Abstract: Suspension bridges are longest span structures, however, the major
problem of those structures are its low lateral stiffness. The suspension cable is
the major element of such bridges; moreover, it is the key of the analysis. The
challenge in suspension cable analysis is the material and geometrical
nonlinearities; the acting forces change cable cross section and extend the cable;
as a result to that deformation the young's modulus changes. For simplifying the
analysis, the cable was analyzed as a catenary and it is a reasonable hypothesis
to some extent; In contrast, more realistic and sophisticated analysis methods
were proposed using Finite Element method considering nonlinearities issues.
Traditional suspension bridges have only vertical sag. Considering a horizontal
sag, the cable will have a horizontal component which will improve bridge
performance under wind loads. This research discussed improving suspension
bridge lateral stiffness by using inclined hangers and three-dimensional
suspension cable. In addition, an approximate method was developed for
analyzing three-dimensional suspension cable. The advantage of this method is
its simplicity and provides reasonable accuracy for the analysis. The proposed
method was verified using Sap2000. Moreover, the studied modification for
suspension bridges improved the bridge aerodynamic stability.
a) ee.k.mohamed@gmail.com, b) waattia@gmail.com,

c) dr.eehab@gmail.com, d) ahmed.saleh@rta.ae.

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 ERJ– Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra Octoberr 25 2015

Keywords: Suspension bridges; inclined hangers; cable; static analysis;

catenarycable
1. INTRODUCTION
Suspension cable bridges are the longest span structures; the Akashi Kyoka
Bridge central span is 1991 m. the advantages of the light weight of cables and
the statical system of suspension bridge led to the increase of using those
structures. However, suspension bridges have low transversal stiffness; that due
to the long span relatively to the deck dimensions and the absence of
intermediate supports, which may constrain lateral deformations. There are two
ways of increasing the lateral stiffness, the first one is modifying the deck shape
and improving its stiffness; the second is improving the statical system to
increase its ability for resisting lateral loads, this research will focus on the
second one.
Suspension bridges are cable structures, which were widely used for several
decades as its construction speed and minimum use of materials, cables have
only axial stiffness and carry only tension force [1]. Cables are relatively
lightweight structures that paid for its use in large spans structures; moreover,
cables have several advantages as high strength high degrees of flexibility, and
elastic behavior, the possibility of pre-tensioning and cost-effective construction
[2]. On the other hand high geometric nonlinearity has always been a potential
threat to the stability of cable structures; that makes the analysis and
construction of cable-stayed systems is more challenging than most ordinary
structures. Many researchers paid attention for the analysis of cable structural
systems[2]. Cable structures are dependent on applied loads, which cause large
displacement and rotation until reaching the equilibrium state. In suspension
bridges, hangers transfer loads from the deck to the main cable. The shape of
the main cable is the design key; the cable has a curved shape. For an
approximation, the shape was assumed to be a parabolic shape. Several methods

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discussed the analysis of suspension cables analytically and numerically.

However, those methods focused on the analysis of vertical suspension cables
and neglecting out-of- plane hangar inclination.
Hangers are commonly used as vertical hangers in traffic bridges. However,
they can be used in vertical or inclined in pedestrian bridges. The inclined
hangers were commonly used in pedestrian bridges as Harbor Drive at san-
Diego, California, USA, Peace Bridge at Northern Ireland and Gateshead
Millennium Bridge at England.The inclined hangers acts better than vertical for
dynamic and lateral loads, On the other hand, the excessive tensile strength
leads to fatigue failure that requires modification in their systems to achieve
optimum system[3]. The use of inclined hangers in traffic bridges is limited; the
clear form of inclined hangers in traffic bridges are the arch with inclined
hangers as Network Arch Bridge.
Main cable curve profile is the analysis key to design the suspension bridges;
The classical approach for cable analysis was deflection theory; while as a result
to the development of finite element analysis (FEA), the profile finding method
have mainly nonlinear finite element method [4]. Several analysis approaches
were developed for numerical analysis as the parabola method, the segmental
parabola method as well as the segmental catenaries method.
J.Visontai[5]proposed an approximate analysis for suspension structures with
cable in inclined planed subjected to vertical and horizontal static loads. The
proposed method was valid for narrow suspension tube bridges under uniformly
distributed static loads, and the cable was subjected to horizontal wind load.
This approximate method was based on energy method and deflection theory.
He studied vertically loaded suspension structures having inclined cable plans
with and without horizontal loads; the accuracy of the analysis was about ±12%.
L.Greco et al, [6]proposed an approach for static analysis of cable structures
using the form finding method; this approach carried on two steps form finding

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and structural analysis. The approach was verified by a numerical analysis

based on the catenary element. It relied on three-dimensional vector form
solution of the catenary equation. Moreover, the catenary element was an
appropriate element for cable modeling different from pseudo-linear approach
and modified modulus element [7]. The initial cable shape was determined by
form finding using Newton-Raphson method and the initial stresses were
calculated by forced catenary method under self-weight and cable pre-stress. As
the initial cable shape was closer to the final shape, the iteration steps decrease;
also, the iteration method affects consumed time. Vasek J. et al [8], studied
calculating of parabolic catenary using four iteration methods; and compared
the results of those methods. Those methods were direct iteration, regular falsi,
bisection and tangential methods. They used Mat lab software for calculating
the actual catenary length. A thirty-meter cable span was subjected to 0.8 Kn/m'
gravity directional load. They found that bisection method consumed the least
time; tangential method used minimum iteration steps Newton method was an
extensive iteration step that calculate derivation on each point.
This research studied improving the suspension bridge lateral stiffness using
inclined hangers with small angles of inclination; an iteration method was
developed for determining an approximate suspension cable profile considering
structural analysis aspect and global stability of the cable as a catenary. A
proposal for three-dimensional suspension cables analysis was studied. In
addition, the effect of using inclined hangers and three-dimensional suspension
cable on the aerodynamic stability of the suspension bridge were studied.

2. Vertical loaded suspension cable (Vertical hangers, in-

extensible bridge)
The main span was divided in two zones AB and BC as shown in Fig. 1. For
simplifying the analysis, the following assumptions were considered. Fig. 2
shows analysis algorithm and flow chart

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Y
VA VB
H B H
1
A
2

4
f
5

C
a1 a1 a2
X
a3 a3

L/2 L/2

Fig.1 suspension cable

Fig.2 analysis diagram for determining cable profile and forces

Assumptions:
 Inextensible cable;
 The cable was divided in sub-elements as straight frames between two hangers; and
the distributed load was assumed to be as an equivalent concentrated load at each
node;
 The girder system was simply supported girder hanged with equally spaced hangers;

The analysis started with the global stability of the cable, then the internal
stability at each node of the cable as the following:
1. Calculate vertical and horizontal reactions at supports A, B and internal
tension force (T) in the cable;
2. Start from node no. 0 at support A the initial values of the sum of forces
applied to the cable; the equilibrium applied at each node based on the initial
shape or the previous iteration and the new coordinates calculated;

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3. Move to the next node, a segment of cable added and the equilibrium applied
for the node (i+1) as in step 2;
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all nodes along the cable till support B;
5. Recalculate the actual length of the cable and the applied loads and repeat
steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 until convergence.

The first iteration:

Where is cable own weight; is girder own weight and q is the total

uniform load acting on the cable, which equals

Equation 1

Equation 2

Equation (2) can be easily written as following

Equation 3

Equation 4

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Equation (4) can be easily written as following

Equation 5

Equation 6

Sub equation 6 in equation (3)

Sub in Equation (1)

Equation 7

For determining cable profile, cable nodes coordinates can be calculated as

follows:
At node i

Where ; can be determined for each

For the second iteration:

Recalculate loads using length calculated from iteration 1 and recalculate

lengths, load and reactions ( ); and repeat the steps in the first

iteration using the previous iteration results.

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In each step, the tension force in the cable for each segment calculated as
following; the tension force in main cable was assumed to be constant ( as

shown in Fig. 3.

Fig.
3 suspension cable internal forces
The tension force in suspension cable at node i, calculated as

For symmetrical suspension cable, and the horizontal force are

equal.According to the algorism above, the nodes along suspension cable are in
equilibrium neglecting the nonlinearities effects (as an assumption
inextensible). So that, for correcting such assumption, an iteration algorism for
tuning bridge deck profile by modifying the tension force in the suspension
cable.

3. Three-dimensional suspension cable (weightless and in-

extensible)
The cable was assumed to be subjected to horizontal load with initial horizontal
sag and a vertical load with the initial vertical sag for determining the cable
profile, an iteration method was proposed as in vertical cable. This method had
the same assumptions as in Vertical loaded suspension cable section (2).This
analysis used superposition method for determining the cable profile; the cable
was assumed to be unidirectional loading cable; which means that the cable

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analyzed in horizontal and vertical axes separately and the following process
were followed:
1. Assume the cable cross section based on approximate calculations;
2. Determining the initial cable profile for horizontal and vertical axes respectively;
3. Calculate the actual length for the cable, and calculate the inclination angle for each
hanger;

For each hanger i, the inclination angle calculated as following, and Fig.4
illustrate the angle.

ø ø

zi zi

xi xi
Suspension cable
Deck Hanger

Fig. 4 Hanger inclination angle

4. Re-calculate the cable profile coordinates considering own weight and length
modification of the cable;
5. Repeat steps 3 and four until the difference between node coordinates convergence
occurs.

The tension force in the main cable was calculated for each segment considering
direction superposition as following equation

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For small horizontal sag, the horizontal force in cable is neglected; if it was
calculated, it would be very big which is illogical; it was assumed to be normal forces
in the cable.
Three-dimensional suspension cable (in-extensible)
In pedestrian suspension bridges, the own weight of the cable is lower than
traffic bridges due to the difference in acting load. So, in suspension bridges
(traffic uses), the main cables carries all vertical loads and the cable; the own
weight of the cable cannot be neglected; that made the analysis of the
suspension cable is more complicated.
For a single segment of the main cable (between two hangers), the equilibrium
equations were solved at each node of the hangers in three dimensions as shown
in Fig. 5.

The own weight of the cable acting on negative Z axis direction; so that the
cable was subjected to uniform vertical load (own weight). If the cable was
loaded distributed horizontally and vertically, the equivalent loads have six
components (three forces and three moment).For simplifying calculating the
equivalent loads, the loads transformed from global coordinates to the cable
local coordinates.as shown in Fig.5
node
i+1

Wx
Wz
node i

Fig. 5 loads acting on cable in local coordinates

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In suspension cable bridges, the suspension bridge is subjected to own weight,

wind loads (Uniformly distributed) and deck loads (point loads) at hanger
locations. The wind load acting on the cable was assumed to be neglected. The
equivalent loads was point loads acting on nodes, and twist moment acting on
nodes.

Where Fx and Fz are equivalent loads and M is the equivalent twist moment; for
small , the acting twist moment gets lower and may be neglected. Those

forces will be in equilibrium with hangers’ load. However, for large the

twisting moment caused local instability problem at nodes due to the low
torsional stiffness of the cable; that leads to cable rotation and horizontal
displacement correspondingly. To overcome this displacement, transverse
cables connect between main suspension cables can be added; those transverse
cables restrict the horizontal displacement, and internal tension forces took
place in those cables.
For verifying the procedure above, the following examples were studied; the
proposed method were used for estimating initial cable shape (profile) then an
iteration process for tuning bridge deck profile. Also, the effect of using
inclined hangers and three-dimensional suspension cable on the global stability
of the bridge.

4. Cases studied
A suspension bridge with 2080 m central span and 600 m side span-side span
was divided into three spans - was studied considering three cases for main

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cable and hangers, a vertical suspension cable and hangers; a vertical

suspension cable with inclined hangers and a three-dimensional suspension
cable and inclined hangers as shown in Fig. 6 and 7. Table 1 summarized
studied cases. A three-dimensional finite element models were prepared using
Sap2000 considering material non-linearity. As mentioned in literature, for
modeling the whole bridge, the frame element is an appropriate element for
modeling pylon and girder; where pylon and girder behaves as a beam.
However for more detailed design of the deck, shell will be appropriate element.
The cable also, may be modeled as frame element with a very small bending
inertia and idealized modulus of elasticity (Ernst’s Modulus).The models for the
cable analysis is based on the following assumptions:
 The strains are small, but displacements are large
 Geometric nonlinearity

Figure (6) studied suspension Cable Bridge

Table 1 studied cables configurations

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Description
Inclined
Model Main cable Hangers
angle*
M1 Vertical Vertical NA
M2 Vertical Inclined 10o
Three-
M3 Inclined 10o
Dimensional
*
The inclined angle represent the average of hanger inclined angles.

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Figure (7) Bridge Pylon

For fulfilling the assumption above, the cable was modeled as a linear material
considering reduced modulus of elasticity [6].The cable cross section was
calculated considering that the stress in cable under working loads not
exceeding 85%; to ensure that the cable act as linear material during the
analysis.
Critical wind speed was calculated depending on Slebrag’s equation [9] as
shown in the following

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Where: is the critical wind speed; is the first mode torsional frequency;

is the first mode bending frequency; m is the mass per unit length, r is the radius
of gyration and B is the bridge width and is the air density.

Table (3) illustrated natural frequencies and calculated critical wind speed.
Table (4) illustrated major results discussing forces and deformations.

Table (2) natural frequencies and critical wind speed

Frequencies Critical wind
Model
fb ft (m/Sec)
Model 1 0.13440 0.2096 67.82
Model 2 0.1526 0.2355 75.64
Model 3 0.2157 0.325 102.5

Table (4) Models’ Major results

Vl. Disp. Hz. Cable Cable axial Top Beam Hanger
Mid span Disp. force (ton) Axial force(ton) force (Ton)
Mid span (m)
Model 1 -0.018 0.2 20353 116.89 296.88
Model 2 -0.015 1.9 20654 21.52 321
Model 3 -0.02 0.7 24070 30 297

The proposed methods were used and it was found that the ratio between
vertical displacements at mid span to central span were about 0.03% for studied
models. The cable displacement was insignificant that may be a result for small
horizontal sag assumed; on the other hand if the horizontal sag increased, the
torsional moment acting on the main cable increased; that leads to main cable

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horizontal displacement. This displacement is a significant; transverse cables

linked the two main cable may be added to overcome this displacement.
The axial force in the main cable for model 3 increased by 19%; while the axial
forces for model 2 reduced by 1.5% relatively to model 1. In the model 3, the
tension forces in the pylon top beam decreased due to that horizontal force
acting perpendicular to bridge longitudinal axis derived the two main cables to
get closer; the bridge deck cross section was subjected to tension force
perpendicular to longitudinal axis acting on the bridge deck cross section due to
the horizontal component of the inclined hanger.
The critical wind speed increased by 11.55 % and 51 % than vertical suspension
cable and hangers for inclined hangers and three-dimensional cable with
inclined hangers respectively

5. CONCLUSION
Cable structures are light weight structures and are widely used for long spans
as suspension bridges. The suspension cable is the key for analyzing the
suspension bridge. Two approximate methods for determining an initial
suspension cable profile based on equilibrium, then an iterative method used for
tuning bridge deck profile, one for the vertical suspension cable, and another for
three-dimensional one. The research concerned equilibrium of the cable and
suspended deck profile, not the final cable shape. Using the proposed method,
the deformation at central span was about 0.03%of the central span.
Three cases were studied using the proposed method for determining an
approximate cable profile. The methods give reasonable accuracy as an
approximate initial shape and deck profile; then an iteration method were used
for tuning the deck shape. However, in three-dimensional suspension cable, the
method is not valid for small horizontal sag, and the horizontal sag may be
neglected.

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The use of inclined hanger improve suspension bridge flutter stability, The use
of inclined hangers increased the critical wind speed by 11.50% than vertical
hangers and the use of three-dimensional cable increased the critical wind speed
by 51% of the vertical suspension cable and hangers. However, the inclined
cable mayinsecure due to cycles of loading and aerodynamic loads that may
lead to a failure due to fatigue; so an extensive study should be prepared for
discussing it.
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[3] M. Barghian, “Proposing a New Model of Hangers in Pedestrian Suspension Bridges

to Solve Hangers Slackness Problem,” Engineering, vol. 03, no. 04, pp. 322–330,
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[4] Haixin HUANG, Bo LIU, Ying ZHANG, and Yonggang TAN, “Improved Calculation
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[5] J.Visontai, “APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF SUSPENSION BRIDGES WITH

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[6] L. Greco, N. Impollonia, M. Cuomo, L. Greco, N. Impollonia, and M. Cuomo, “A

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[7] A. V. L. A.M.S. Freire, J.H.O. Negrão, “Geometrical nonlinearities on the static

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[8] J. Vasek and O. Sucharda, “Numerical Analysing the Parabolic

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