Structural stability of cable-stayed bridges

This paper presents an investigation of the structural stability of cable-stayed bridges based on nonlinear analysis. In general, girders and masts of cable-stayed bridges are always subjected to compressive forces due to pre-tensioned stay cables. Cable-stayed bridges exhibit various geometric nonlinearities, such as the cable-sag effect, beam-column effect of girders and masts, and large displacement effect. In this study, the characteristics of the structural stability of cable-stayed bridges are investigated. Because of various geometric nonlinearities, nonlinear finite element analysis should be performed for stability analysis instead of conventional eigenvalue analysis. Furthermore, the initial shape analysis should be performed prior to live load analysis in order to consider the dead load condition rationally. A two-step analysis method, developed based on the theory of nonlinear finite element method, is presented in this study for stability analysis under live load cases. An intensive series of parametric studies is subsequently performed using three-span cable-stayed bridges. The main buckling modes are classified depending on the location of the critical members. Also, the effects of cable arrangement, girder-mast stiffness ratio, area, and the number of cables on the structural stability are extensively investigated.