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Optimization of Cable Tensioning in Cable-Stayed Bridges

Le Hong Lam1Nguyen Huy Cung2Vu Hong Nghiep2
1 Hohai UniversityNanjing210098 2 Ho Chi Minh City University of TransportVietnam.
E-mailnguyenhuycung@yahoo.com lhlam@yahoo.com

Abstract During the structural analysis of cable-stayed bridges, some specific problems arise that are not common in other types of bridges. One of these problems is the derivation of an optimal sequence for the tensioning of the stay cables. This paper describes a novel solution to this problem. Finite elements are used for modeling the bridge structure. Numerical examples are presented, which illustrate the high obtainable accuracy of the method. Keywordscable-stayed bridgesoptimizationfinite elementcatenary cable element

1. Introduction
In the design cable-stayed bridge, an important step is determining the tensioning forces of stay cables to achieve a desired geometry of the bridge after construction, especially under the reaction of dead load. Many structural analysis techniques were proposed to solve this problem. The different models of cable have been investigated. The elastic cable is assumed to be perfectly flexible and possesses only tension stiffness; it is incapable of resisting compression, shear and bending forces. When the weight of the cable is neglected, the cable element can be considered as a straight member. But under action of its own dead load and axial tensile force, a cable supported at its end will sag into a catenary shape. The axial stiffness of a cable will change with changing sag. When a straight cable element for a whole inclined cable stay is used in the analysis, the sag effect has to be taken into account. On the consideration of the sag nonlinearity in the inclined cable stays, it is convenient to use an equivalent straight cable element with an equivalent modulus of elasticity, which can well describe the catenary action of the cable. The concept of a cable equivalent modulus of elasticity was first introduced by Ernst [1],[2],[5],[6]. This cable element has been used popularly in cable stayed bridge design. More accurate than cable element with an equivalent modulus of elasticity, some cable elements have been proposed such as nonlinear geometry cable element [4] proposed by the last of authors, nonlinear cable element [13] proposed by R.Karoumi, elastic catenary cable element with an unknown initial length [9]. In this paper, the other model of cable is used for modeling cable in cable stayed bridge. When adjusting the cable, the length of cable changes, lead to the changing of sag. The horizontal component of cable tension is determined by using the built equations of the length of cable. From then on, determining the tensioning forces of stay cables under dead load to achieve a desired geometry of the bridge after construction.

2. Proposed cable
Consider the inclined cable AB of span l subjected to its own weight, having projection equal to w (Figure 1). Now, we build the equations of the length of cable. For the below expressions it is assumed that the cable is perfectly flexible and Hookes law is applicable to the cable material.

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Figure 1: Geometry of the inclined cable

The length of cable [1], [2]:

L0 =

l D cos3 + cos 2 H 02
l 2

(1)

w2l 3 Where D0 = Q dz = , Q is the simple beam shear force for given span l and H0 the 12 0
horizontal component of cable tension. Let

be the elastic strain, we have [1]:

l

H0 H ds = 0 0 = EF cos .EF 0

(1 + tg )ds
2 0

Where E : Youngs modulus of cable. F : Cross section area.

: The inclination of the cable to the horizontal at any point.

On the other hand, Hence

tg = tg +

Q H0

H 0 = 0 EF =

2 l H0 Q ds 1 + tg + (1 + tg )ds = EF H 0 0 0 l 2

l H0 Q Q2 2 + + + tg tg 1 2 ds EF H 0 H 02 0 l l l

(2)

H H H 1 1 = 0 . (1 + tg 2 ) . ds + 0 .2tg Qds + 0 2 Q 2 ds EF EF H0 0 EF H 0 0 0
Because of

Qds = 0 , (2) can be express:

0

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0 =

H 0 .l D0 + 2 EF cos EFH 0

(3)

If we skip the elastic strain of cable, the length of cable is:

H 0 .l D0 l D cos3 L = L0 0 = + 2 2 EF cos EFH 0 cos 2H0

' 0

(4)

When adjusting the cable, the position A changes to A due to the displacement of pylon Figure 2. Also, the original sag f0 increase to f, the horizontal component of cable tension H0 change to H. The expression of the length of cable can be written:
' L1 = L1 1

(5)

Where L1 : Length of cable.

1 : The elastic strain.

Figure 2: The inclined cable in working state.

From the Fig.2-2, we see:

L1 =

D cos3 1 l u D cos3 1 + = + A B ' cos 1 2 H 02 2 H 02

2 2

(6)

A' B = ( d v) +( l u) = d2 +l2 2vd 2ul = AB2vd 2ul vd +ul 2 vd ul vd +ul = AB12 AB1 = AB 2 2 AB AB AB AB l = vsin ucos cos
And
1

(7)

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l u l u vd + ul u vd + ul cos 1 = = l 1 AB 1 1 1 + 2 A' B AB AB l AB 2 l vd + ul u vd + ul u cos 1 + = cos 1 + l 2 l AB 2 l cos u u v = cos . 1 + sin .cos + cos .cos l l l u v = cos . 1 + sin .cos + ( cos 2 1) l l u v = cos . 1 + sin .cos sin 2 l l
By substituting (7) and (9) into (6), we have:

(8)

l D cos3 . 3D cos3 . sin ( v cos u sin ) L1 = v sin u cos + + cos 2H 2 2 H 2l

The elastic strain:

(10)

0 =

H .(l u ) D H u 2 D l 1 cos 1 + + = 2 EF cos 1 EFH EF l EFH

2

H u u D v l 1 cos . 1 + sin .cos sin 2 + = EF l l EFH l = Hl D 2u 2 u 2v 1 1 sin .cos + sin + 2 EF cos l l l EFH Hl u D 2u 2 2v 1 sin .cos + sin + 2 EF cos l l l EFH Hl EF cos 2
(11)

u u D v 1 sin 2 + (1 cos 2 ) + l l EFH l Hl u D v = 1 sin 2 cos 2 + 2 EF cos l l EFH

By substituting (10) and (11) into (5), we have:
' L1 =

l D cos3 . 3D cos3 . sin ( v cos u sin ) v sin u cos + + cos 2H 2 2 H 2l Hl u D v 1 sin 2 cos 2 2 EF cos l l EFH

(12)

Suppose that the cable doesnt elongate, then

' L1 = L10

(13)

By substituting (4) and (12) into (13), then transforming and reducing, we have:

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5 D0 .cos 2 E.F u v 3 E.F .D0 .cos v.sin .cos 2 + u.cos3 ) H 2 + H0 + ( 1 sin 2 cos 2 H + 2 l l .H 0 l 2.l.H 0 l

D.cos 2 E.F v u H D 1 + 3 sin .cos 3 sin 2 cos5 = 0 l l l 2l

(14)
By solving eq.(14) we can determine the horizontal component of cable tension H.

3. Optimization cable tension under dead load

The purpose is determined the tension of cable that satisfy two following conditions: i) The displacement of beam is zero. ii) The displacement of pylon is minimum. To analyze the cable stayed bridge, the pylon and girder are modeled using beam column element. The stay cables are replaced by nodal forces as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: The stay cables are replaced by nodal forces.

The nodal forces of stay cable are determined by the following formulas:

P 1 = P 3 = H
P2 = wl wl 2 + tan 2 8f

(15) (16)

P4 =

wl wl 2 tan 2 8f
P2 P1

(17)

Y P4

P3
Figure 4: The nodal force of cable. -5-

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The general form of the equilibrium equations are:

[ K ]{u} = {F }
Where [K]: The stiffness matrix of system. {u}: The nodal displacement vector. {F}: The force vector.

(18)

Begin

Input the properties of cable stayed bridge

Calculate [K], {F} with the beginning sag f0

Solve the eq (18) to calculate vector {u}

Solve the eq (14) to calculate H, then calculate vector {F} from (15),(16),(17)

NO

Solve the eq (18) to calculate vector {u}

Check the condition: Max {u} [u] YES Calculate the initial cables force

Export results. END

Figure 5: Procedure to optimize the tension of cables force:

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4. Numerical example
In order to estimating the accuracy of this method, let us analyze the same problem which introduced in [7] and [9].

4.1 Problem
Consider a cable stayed bridge which the detailed geometry and the finite element model are shown in Figure 6. The material and sectional properties of stay cables, deck and pylons are shown in Table 1.

Figure 6: Geometry of the cable-stayed bridge studied in example. Table 1. The material and sectional properties of stay cables, deck and pylons

Member Exterior cable Interior cable Girder Pylon (0.0-20.3m) Pylon (20.3-40.6m) Pylon (40.6-61.0m)

E(GPa) 207 207 207 207 207 207

A(m2) 0.042 0.016 0.32 0.269 0.228 0.203

I(m4) 1.131 0.432 0.345 0.211

w(KN/m) 3.2 1.2 87.5 -

The display of cable stayed bridge model using Matlab is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Calculating modeling of the system.

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4.2 Numerical results

4.2.1. Displacement of nodes
Node 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Ux Uy Rz 0.033200 0.025973 0.014000 0.000000 -0.014000 -0.025867 -0.033842 -0.033842 -0.041818 -0.053685 -0.067685 -0.081685 -0.093658 -0.100885 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 -0.000371 0.000225 0.000000 0.000180 -0.000322 0.000093 0.000093 -0.000322 0.000180 0.000000 0.000225 -0.000371 0.000000 0.000000 -0.022732 -0.034466 -0.047544 0.000000 -0.022732 -0.034466 -0.047544 -0.000877 0.000238 -0.000060 0.000025 -0.000042 0.000123 -0.000457 0.000457 -0.000123 0.000042 -0.000025 0.000060 -0.000238 0.000877 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000

4.2.2. Initial force components of elements

Element 1 1911.8732 2 1444.7338 3 1521.4212 4 1599.5417 5 1283.3597 6 2362.6583 7 2362.6583 8 1283.3597 9 1599.5417

Pi -1046.4336 -1733.5221 -2026.9961 -2026.9961 -1718.1429 -1154.8083 -0.0000 -1154.8083 -1718.1429

Pj -1046.4336 -1733.5221 -2026.9961 -2026.9961 -1718.1429 -1154.8083 -0.0000 -1154.8083 -1718.1429

Mi 0.0000 -1911.8732 -1444.7338 -1521.4212 -1599.5417 -1283.3597 -2362.6583 -2362.6583 -1283.3597

Mij 570.2548 -152.1121 43.1139 -34.2901 84.7407 -296.8176 350.5709 -296.8176 84.7407

Mj -

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10 1521.4212 11 1444.7338 12 1911.8732 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

-2026.9961 -2026.9961 -1733.5221 -1046.4336 0.0000 -2842.0370 0.0000 -2746.3793 0.0000 -2710.0464 0.0000 -2842.0370 0.0000 -2746.3793 0.0000 -2710.0464 0.0000 1136.1296 0.0000 822.6040 0.0000 486.8279 0.0000 512.4597 0.0000 673.8735 0.0000 1254.7082 0.0000 1254.7082 0.0000 673.8735 0.0000 512.4597 0.0000 486.8279 0.0000 822.6040 0.0000 1136.1296 0.0000

-2026.9961 -2026.9961 -1733.5221 -1046.4336 -2746.3793 -2710.0464 -2677.5379 -2746.3793 -2710.0464 -2677.5379 1154.5049 828.9788 491.4248 517.0566 680.2481 1273.0840 1273.0840 680.2481 517.0566 491.4248 828.9788 1154.5049

-1599.5417 -1521.4212 -1444.7338 -1911.8732 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

-34.2901 43.1139 -152.1121 570.2548 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

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4.2.3. Diagrams

Figure 8: Displacement diagram.

Figure 9: Axial force diagram.

Figure10: Moment diagram.

4.2.4. Remarks
Displacement of deck is very small. The maximum displacement is 0.000371m (at node 2 and node 13). Therefore, under dead load, the designed geometry of deck seems invariable. Due to the equilibrium condition of forces, displacements of pylons are almost equal zero. The present study and the study of Ki - Hae [9] exactly reproduce the target profile of the deck, while Wangs study [7] yields an inaccurate profile. The tensions of the stay cables in present study and the study of Kim-Lee are not considerably different but considerably different in Wangs study. This comparison is shown in Table 2 and Figure 11.
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Table 2 The comparison Cable no. Present study 11.45 8.25 4.89 5.14 6.77 12.63 Force Unit: MN Ki Haes study 11.38 8.26 4.85 5.11 6.79 12.55 Wangs study 10.73 8.26 4.79 4.55 7.81 11.3 Relative error between Present & Ki Hae 0.61% 0.12% 0.82% 0.58% 0.30% 0.63% Relative error between Present & Wang 5.71% 0.00% 1.24% 10.96% 15.02% 9.96% Relative error between Ki Hae & Wang 6.29% 0.12% 2.04% 11.48% 15.36% 10.53%

20 21 22 23 24 25

Figure 11: The comparison of three methods.

5. Conclusion
This paper presents the cable element to model the stay cables and procedure to solve an important problem in cable stayed bridge analysis. The numerical example is presented for demonstrating the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison to other methods in [7], [9]. Although this paper only presents the formulations and numerical example in the two-dimensional problem, the proposed method can easily extended to the three-dimensional problems. Its believed that this method provides the powerful tool for engineers in design of cable stayed bridge.

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Reference
[1]. MS Troitsky. Cable-stayed bridge theory and design. BSP Professional Books-1998. [2]. Le Dinh Tam, Pham Duy Hoa. Cable-stayed bridge. Science & engineering Press, 2001. (in Vietnamese). [3]. Nguyen Viet Trung. Cable supported bridge. Construction Press, Hanoi 2004. (in Vietnamese). [4]. Nguyen Huy Cung. Cable stayed bridge design. Engineering graduate thesis. University of Transportation 2007. (in Vietnamese). [5]. Cable-Stayed Bridges-Developments Recent and Their Future. Developments in Civil EngineeringVol.40.Elsevier [6]. Wang PH, Tseng TC, Yang CG. Initial shape of cable-stayed bridges. Computers & Structures Vols. 46. No. 6. pp. 1095-I 106. 1993 [7]. Pao-Hsii Wang, Hung-Ta Lin, Tzu-Yang Tang. Study on nonlinear analysis of a highly redundant cablestayed bridge. Computers & Structures 80 (2002) 165182 [8]. H. M. Alit and A. M. Abdel-Ghaffarf. Modeling the nonlinear seismic behavior of cable-stayed bridges with passive control bearings. Computers & Structures Vol. 54. No. 3. pp. 461492, 1995 [9]. Ki Seok Kim, Hae Sung Lee. Analysis of target configuration under dead load for cable stayed bridges. Computers and Structures 79 (2001). [10]. D.W.Chen, F.T.K.Au, L.G.Tham, P.K.K.Lee. Determination of initial cable forces in prestressed concrete cable stayed bridges for given design deck profiles using the force equilibrium method. Computers and Structures74. 2000. [11]. J.H.O. Negrao, L.M.C Simoes. Optimization of cable stayed bridges with three dimensional modeling. Computers and Structures 64 (1997). [12]. J.F. Debongnie. Fundamentals of finite elements. Les Editions de lUniversit de Lige, Lige, 2003, ISBN 293032254-3 [13]. Nguyen Hoai Son. FEM with Matlab. Ho Chi Minh National university publishing house, 2001. (in Vietnamese). [14]. Raid Karoumi. Response of Cable-Stayed and Suspension Bridges to Moving Vehicles-Analysis methods and practical modeling techniques. Ph.D Thesis. [15]. Zienkiewicz, O. C. and Taylor, R. L., The Finite Element Method, 5th edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000.

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