Suspension bridges

Pedestrian rope bridge

Chain link bridge Budapest

Golden Gate cable bridge

Suspension structures Prof Schierle 1

Suspension Structures Effect of: Support Form Stability 1 Circular support to balance lateral thrust 2 Bleachers to resist lateral thrust 3 Self weight: catenary funicular 4 Uniform load: parabolic funicular 5 Point loads: polygonal funicular 6 Point load distortion 7 Asymmetrical load distortion 8 Wind uplift distortion 9 Convex stabilizing cable 10 Dead load to provide stability
Suspension structures Prof Schierle 2

Sag/span vs. force Considering force vectors at support; H = horizontal reaction V = vertical reaction T = tension of cable at support

Reveal, for a given vertical reaction: small sag = large force Large sag = small force Large sag requires costly tall support Optimal span/sag is usually ~10

Suspension structures

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Cable details
1 2 3 4 5 6 A B C Strand (good stiffness, low flexibility) E=22,000 to 24,000 ksi, 70% metallic Wire rope (good flexibility, low stiffness) E = 14,000 to 20,000 ksi, 60% matallic Bridge Socket (adjustable) Open Socket (non-adjustable) Wedged Socket (adjustable) Anchor Stud (adjustable) Support elements Socket / stud Strand or wire rope

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Mast / cable details

The mast detail demonstrates typical use of cable or strand sockets. Steel gusset plates usually provide the anchor for sockets. Equal angles A and B result in equal forces in strand and guy, respectively. B A Mast / strand angle B Mast / guy angle C Strand D Guy E Sockets F Gusset plates G Bridge socket (to adjust prestress) A H Foundation gusset (at guy and mast) I Mast

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Loyola University Pavilion Architect: Kahn, Kappe, Lottery, Boccato Engineer: Reiss and Brown Consultant: Dr. Schierle Roof spans the long way to provide open view for outdoor seating for occasional large events Lateral wind and seismic loads are resisted by: Roof diaphragm In width direction by concrete shear walls In length direction by guy cables and Handball court walls Guy cables resist lateral trust Suspension cables resist gravity Stabilizing cables: resist wind uplift resist non-uniform load provide prestress

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Assume: Suspension cables spaced 20 ft Allowable cable stress Fa = Fy/3 Fa = 70 ks LL = 12 psf (60% of 20 psf for trib. area>600 ft2 DL = 18 psf = 30 psf Uniform load w= 30 psf x 20 / 1000 Global moment M= wL2/8= 0.60x2402/8 Horizontal reaction H= M/f= 4320/16 Vertical reaction R= wL/2= 0.60x240/2 Cable tension (max.) T=(H2+R2)1/2 =(270 2+72 2)1/2 Graphic method Draw vector of vertical reaction Draw equilibrium vectors at support Length of vectors give cable force and horizontal reaction
Suspension structures

w= 0.60 klf M= 4320 k H= 270 k R= 72 k T= 279 k Am= 3.99 in2

Metallic cross section required Am=T/Fa=279/70 ksi

Gross cross section (70% metallic) Ag= 5.70 in2 Ag=Am/0.70=3.99/0.7 0 Cable size =2(Ag/)1/2=2(5.70/)1/2=2.69 in
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use 2
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Exhibit Hall Hanover Architect: Thomas Herzog Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann Suspended steel bands of 3x40 cm (1.2x16 inch) support prefab wood panels, filled with gravel to resist wind uplift. In width direction the roof is slightly convex for drainage; which also provides an elegant interior spatial form. Curtain wall mullions are pre-stressed between roof and footing to prevent buckling under roof deflection. Unequal support height is a structural disadvantage since horizontal reactions of adjacent bays dont balance; but it provides natural lighting and ventilation for sustainability

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

Exhibit Hall Hanover Given (10 psf) LL = 0.5 kN/m2 (25 psf) DL = 1.2 kN/m2 = 1.7 kN/m2 (35 psf) Suspenders 3x40 cm (~1x16), spaced at 5.5 m (18) w = 9.35 kN/m M= 4787 kN-m H = 684 kN

Uniform suspender load w= 1.7 kN/m2 x 5.5m Global moment M=wL2/8= 9.35 x 642 / 8 Horizontal reaction H= M/f= 4787/7 Vertical reaction R (max.) Reactions are unequal; use R/H ratio (similar triangles) to compute max. R R / H= (2f+h/2) / (L/2), hence R= H (2f+h/2) / (L/2) R= 684 (2x7+13/2)/(64/2) Suspender tension (max.) T= (H2+R2)1/2= (6842+438 2)1/2
Suspension structures Prof Schierle

R= 438 kN T= 812 kN
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Suspender tension (from previous page) Suspender cross section area A= 0.03 x 0.4 m) Suspender stress f=T/A= 812/0.012= 67,667 kPa US units equivalent 68 MPa x 0.145 =

T = 812 kN A = 0.012 m2 f = 68 MPa f = 9.9 ksi 9.9 < 22 ksi, OK

Graphic method Draw vector of total vertical load W = w L Draw equilibrium vectors parallel to cable tangents Draw equilibrium vectors for right support Draw equilibrium vectors for left support
Suspension structures Prof Schierle 10

Oakland Coliseum Architect/Engineer: Skidmore Owings and Merrill Radial cables, suspended from a concrete compression ring and tied to a steel tension ring, are stabilized against wind uplift and non-uniform load by prefab concrete ribs. Assume Allowable cable stress (1/3 of 210 ksi breaking strength)

Fa= 70 ksi

Cables spaced 13 @ outer compression ring LL reduced to 60% of 20 psf per UBC for tributary area > 600 sq. ft.) LL = 12 psf (60% of 20 psf) DL = 28 psf (estimate) = 40 psf + 0.12 klf for concrete ribs (0.15kcf x 4 x 29/144 uniform load)
Suspension structures Prof Schierle 11

Distributed load w = 40 psf x 13/1000

w = 0 to 0.52 klf

Global moment (due to triangular roof load) (cubic parabola with origin at mid-span) Mx = w L2/24 (1 8 X3 / L3 ) For max. M at mid-span, X=0, hence M = wL2 / 24= 0.52 x 4202 / 24 M = 3,822 k Global moment (due to uniform rib load) M = w L2/8 = 0.12 klf x 4202/8 Moments = 3,822 + 2,646 Horizontal reaction H = M/f= 6,468/30 Vertical reaction R = wL/2 = (0.52/2+0.12) x 420/2 Cable tension (max.) T = (H2 + R2)1/2 = (216 2 + 80 2 )1/2 Metallic cross section required Am = T/Fa= 230/70 ksi
Suspension structures Prof Schierle

M = 2,646 k M = 6,468 k H = 216 k R = 80 k T = 230 k Am = 3.3 in2

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Metallic cross section (from last slide) Gross cross section (70% metallic) Ag = Am / 0.7= 3.3 / 0.7 Cable size = 2 (Ag / )1/2 = 2 (4.7 / 3.14)1/2 = 2.45

Am = 3.3 in2 Ag = 4.7 in2

use 2

Tension ring force (unit force x radius) (radius r= 15, cable spacing e = 0.94) T = H r / e = 216 x 15 / 0.94 T= 3,447 k Ring size (high-strength steel Fa = 30 ksi) A = T / Fa= 3,447 / 30 = 115 in2 Try W24x408, A = 119 in2 >115 use W24x408 Compression ring force (r = 210, e= 13) C = H r/e= 216 x 210/13

C = 3,489 k

H = 216 k (from last slide)

Suspension structures

Ring size (Fc=1.4 ksi allowable concrete stress) A = C / Fc A = 3489 / 1.4 = 2,492 in2 = 72 x 34.6 Use 6x3
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the end

Suspension structures

Prof Schierle

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