CABLE-STAYED BRIDGES-PARAMETRIC STUDY

By T. P. Agrawal l

ABSTRACT: In this paper, the effect of number of cables and the length of central panel on the behavior of
radiating-type cable-stayed bridges has been investigated. The study was carried out for double-plane bridges
with 12, 20, 28, and 36 cables per plane, with side to main span ratios of 0.35,0.40,0.45, and 0.50, respectively.
The bridges wert' analyzed by the stiffness matrix method, treating the bridges as two-dimensional structures.
A uniformly distributed load of 10 kN/m (I tim) was considered over the entire length of the bridge. The
computational work was carried out on an IBM 360 main frame computer. The investigation shows that maxi-
mum cable tension decreases rapidly with the increase in the number of cables. In general, the effect of length
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of the central panel on the sagging moment is significant; on the hogging moment, the effect of length is not
appreciable. Both the hogging and sagging moments increase with the increase in the number of cables from
12 to 36. The parametric charts useful for the design of cable-stayed bridges, incorporating the foregoing
parameters, have also been prepared. A comparison of the weight of steel in cables and girders, as well as the
total weight of steel (cables and longitudinal girders only) in the harp and radiating arrangements was also
carried out. In both harp and radiating bridges, the weight of steel decreases with the increase in the number of
cables.

INTRODUCTION METHODS OF ANALYSIS

The evolution of cable-stayed bridges dates back to the 18th A cable-stayed bridge is a statically indetenninate structure
century. As early as in 1784, C. J. Loscher (a Gennan carpen- with a large degree of redundancy. The girder is like a con-
ter) built a timber bridge of this type. Due to the lack of tech- tinuous beam elastically supported at the points of cable
nical know-how and nonavailability of proper construction attachments and supported on rollers at the towers. If the non-
materials, some of the early bridges failed. With the advent of linearity due to factors such as large deflections, catenary
high-speed digital computers and availability of advanced action of cables, and beam-column interaction of the girder
methods of analysis, it is possible to analyze cable-stayed
70I--r-'-II-I~~~','7)"?,'~o/OJ~
bridges with a large degree of indetenninacy. The modern Bridges
cable-stayed bridges were rediscovered in Gennany by F.
Dischinger when Stomsund bridge was completed in 1955.
Gennans are pioneers in this field and more than one-third of
these bridges exist in Gennany alone. ~ 50~~~~~
In India, the interest in these bridges could be developed
tc
~ 40
only after the proposal of the second Hooghly bridge, a cable-
stayed type. It is a six-traffic-Iane bridge with a main span of
457.2 m and two side spans of length 182.88 m on each side.
~30~~
"?'
o
The cable-stayed bridges are most economical for the spans Q.

en 20~"""""I--I--I--I--I--I--I--t---t------j
between 150 and 360 m (Thul 1966; Agrawal 1979) (Fig. 1). ~

Single-plane cable-stayed bridges are suited for small spans. ~

~ 10f---j'-----jI---jI--I---jI--I--f--t--t---J
Most of the time steel bridges have two planes of cables. The
various longitudinal structural arrangements (Fig. 2) are: (I)
radiating; (2) harp; (3) star; and (4) fan. The radiating arrange- o'--~6~0- - ' - - -..180:;;;--.L..-----;;;300~-.L..---;~~-.L---;;5:7J,()-----'
ment is structurally more efficient (Agrawal 1979) and harp Center Span (m)
and star arrangements have better aesthetics.
FIG. 1. Bridge Types- Their Center Span and Span Range
The cables may be arranged in a single plane or in two
planes in the transverse direction. The two planes of cables in
the double-plane systems may be vertical or sloping towards
each other. The choice of cable arrangement depends mainly
on: (1) soil strata in the foundation; (2) main span length; (3) (a)
ingenuity of the designer; and (4) construction material.
The effect of number of cables and the length of the central
panel of the main span on the behavior of cable-stayed bridges
is presented in this paper. Design charts to be used for deter-
mining maximum tension in the cables and maximum positive (b)
and negative girder moments, incorporating various parame-
ters, were prepared. A comparison of weight of steel in cables
and girders, as well as the total weight of steel in the harp and
radiating arrangements was also carried out.
(el
'Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Inst. of Technol., Banaras Hindu Univ.,
Varanasi-22IOO5, India.
Note. Discussion open until October I, 1997. To extend the closing
date one month, a written request must be filed with the ASCE Manager
of Journals. The manuscript for this paper was submitted for review and
(d)
possible publication on September 16, 1996. This paper is part of the
Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 2, No.2, May, 1997. ©ASCE, ISSN FIG. 2. Longitudinal Cable Configurations: (a) Radiating; (b)
1084-0702/97/0002-0061-0067/$4.00 + $.50 per page. Paper No. 9366. Harp; (c) Fan; (d) Star

JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING / MAY 1997/61

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 and tower elements are neglected, the structure can be assumed
to be linearly elastic. In such a case, the linear methods of
analysis can be applied and the principle of superimposition
is admissible. Troitsky and Lazer (1970) developed a load-
balancing method of analysis of cable-stayed bridges suitable
for hand computations. A mixed force displacement method
was developed by Smith (1967), while Lazer et al. (1972) used
a flexibility approach for theoretical analysis, and Tang (1971)
illustrated use of the transfer matrix approach. Smith (1968)
extended his technique to analysis of double-plane cable-
stayed bridges and treated the deck as a plate. Kajita and
Cheung (1973) illustrated use of the finite-element technique.
The well-known stiffness approach seems to be the most com-
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small, if at all they occur. It is implied that dead load
tension and prestress in the cables are much larger than
this compressive force and hence cables stay under ten-
sion for all cases of loading.
6. Cables were assumed to be straight members, that is, the
effect of catenary action due to the self-weight of cables
was neglected. Podolny (1971) has shown that the effect
of catenary action for moderate sag to span ratio is not
large. However, this effect can be incorporated by mod-
ifying the modulus of elasticity (Ernst 1965).
7. The structure was assumed to remain elastic.
8. The effect of change in geometry, beam-column inter-
action of girder and tower elements, and the effect of

monly employed tool for analyzing such structures and is the warping were neglected.
one used in this paper.
COMMENT ON RESULTS
Assumptions The basic dimensions and other parameters of harp- and
In using the stiffness matrix method of analysis for the study radiating-type bridges with central panel length as 0.2LM and
of cable-stayed bridges contained in this paper, the following radiating-type bridge with all the panels equal in the main span
assumptions were made: are given in Fig. 3. The tower bases were assumed to be fixed.
The different parameters are as follows:
1. The models for linear analysis were the equilibrium con- Number of cables (n) = 12, 20, 28, and 36 (1)
figuration of the bridge under the effect of the dead loads
and prestress. Deformations and forces were computed Side to main span ratio (LsILM ) = 0.35,0.40,0.45, and 0.50 (2)
for the structure under live load. The initial configuration Tower height to total bridge length ratio (H,IL T ) = 0.100 (3)
was assumed not to be affected by the deformations.
2. All joints between members in the structure were as- Length of central panel in main span (tc ) = 0.2LM and t2 (4)
sumed to be rigid.
3. Cables were assumed to be perfectly flexible. Flexural
.
StIffness parameter (A) = ~'Ac'L~
EG.f G (5)
rigidity of cables is very small as compared to that of
girder and tower elements and hence neglected. The joint where L s = length of side span; L M = length of main span;
between cable and girder or tower is, in effect, a pinned L T = total bridge length = 360 m (kept constant for all bridge
joint. cases analyzed); t2 = length of other panels in main span;
4. Effect of creep in steel was neglected. Bridges with only H, = height of the tower; Ec , EG = modulus of elasticity of
steel towers and steel girders were analyzed. Concrete cables and girders. respectively; A c = total area of cables =
decks and towers were not considered here. Where such 0.32 m2 (kept constant for all bridge cases analyzed except
construction is used, the effect of shrinkage and creep Article 3.3); and Ie = moment of inertia of girder.
will merit consideration.
5. Cables were assumed to be capable of bearing tensile Effect of Number of Cables and Length of Central
force as well as compressive force. Compressive forces Panel
that occur on account of applied live loads are usually This study included the investigation of radiating-type
Data To__ bridges with stiffness parameter (A) as 83,000 and tower height
Girder A-0.3nf Coble
2
A- 0.3 m 1 - 0.2 rtft Talal Area Of Cobles_O.24m 2

~~~
800

~
100

I' 4.1/2 ·1
(a) Centrul A:lnel Length_0.2 x LM (Harp Bridge)

~~,)
T
Ht

1 Data Data

(b) CentruL Panel

I
1..en9lh"
LM/2
0.2 x LM (Radiati"ll BricJge)
I

200
*.
~. 83000

0.100
Lor;jend
)..83000
Ht
i:T",O.loo
Lte;lend

~,J
1
Ht
-<>- I c=0.2xLM
100 ...... I c ' L....gth ot other panels in
Main span (12)
-<>- Ie' 0.2x LM
...... I c ' Length Of ather po nels 1n
Main span (12'

1 a 12 20 28 36 12 20 28 36
. , LMI2 1eI]1 No. at Cables _
(c) Equal PaneL Lengths in Main span (Radiating Bridge)
FIG. 4. Effect of Number of Cables and Length of Central
FIG. 3. Dimensions of Bridge Models Analyzed Panel on Maximum Tension In Cables

621 JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING 1 MAY 1997

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 6OO...--------------r-'-----------,
i:=0.4S

15000
E
z
::!!.~OO

Data
" =83000
Data
"=83000
J ~~~ooo ____---'1'
~
3000
Ht
Data
"-83000
Ht
Ht =0.100 ?r- =0.100 -! F=O.l00 "IT,0.100 ~:::::::::=::1
.!I l:T ~
~ 2000
r
LRg,,"d
_---- ... --.-~----
r....; ;j'--
..,.----."...---
;3 200 lJogend Legend
l.eg«ld
-o-I =0.2. LM -o-l e =Q.2. LM E" -o-I e =0·2. LM ..-le'0.2xLM
1i ....... Iee =lJongth at oth"r- pa",," in ....... Ie =lJong!h at o1hEr panels 1n ; 1000 ..... Ie' Length af other- panels In ...... Ie' Length ot other- paM' in
::>: 100 2'
Main span ( 1 Main .pan (12) Main span (12' Main span (l2)
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o 12 20 28 36 12 20 28 36 o 12 20 28 36 12 20 28 36
No. af Cables _ ttl. at Cables -

FIG. 5. Effect of Number of Cables and Length of Central FIG. 7. Effect of Number of Cables and Length of Central
Panel on Maximum Tension In Cables Panel on Maximum Moment In Longitudinal Girder

Data
~-0.3S Lr ' 360m
L~/LM'O.~
t 5000 le=1 2
Hr/Lr = 0.100
~1oOO0 1000 ,,= 83000
::!!. Radiating Arrungemont
Data Data
)3000 71·83000 ".83000
*"=0.100:t-::-::-:.-,8= =::-:.:!f;;;-" *.0.100

£
_12

~ ::::.- 600
l.eg«ld :8: ~-:.-:-~-=---.:~
Ll'gl'nd
(-"") ';0
5
E -0- le· 0 .2 • LM -o-le-0.2. LM
~400
~
.~ 1000 ... Ie =Length at olMr- panels In ... Ie' Ll'ngth at othl'r- pan"ls In
::IE Main span (12' MaIn span (12 ' .!I
.J:>
o

rowr~
u
200
o 12 20 28 36 12 20 28 36
No. of Cables-

FIG. 6. Effect of Number of Cables and Length of Central o 140 160 180
Panel on Maximum Moment in Longitudinal Girder
FIG. 8. Distribution of Tension In Cables (Ie =1 2)

to total bridge length ratio as 0.100. The other parameters were

the same as the foregoing. Data
Lr ' 360m
The variation of maximum cable tension with number of
L~/LM= 0.40
cables for the two cases of central panel lengths of main span Le -0.2' LM
is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It is seen that the maximum cable Hr/Lr = 0.100
tension decreases rapidly with the increase in number of ca- ,,= 83000
bles. In the case of a bridge with 36 cables, the cable tension Radiating Arrungement
reduces to 0.45 and 0.37 times that in the 12-cable system for
side to main span ratios 0.35 and 0.50, respectively. In the
case of side to main span ratios 0.35 and 0.40, the cable ten-
sion increases with the decrease in length of the central panel.
For side to main span ratios 0.35 and 0.40 for smaller number
of cables, it increases with the decrease in length of the central
panel, but for a larger number of cables, the trend reverses.
The borderline is for the 16-cable system. In general, the dif-
ferl:nce in cable tension in the two cases of panel length is
found to be between 1.8 and 8.5%. o
The variation of sagging and hogging moments with the
number of cables for both cases of panel lengths is shown in FIG. 9. Distribution of Tension In Cables (Ie =0.2 X L M)
Figs. 6 and 7. It is seen that the effect of the central panel on
the sagging moment is significant while on the hogging mo-
ment, the effect is not appreciable. In general, both the hog- decrease in sagging moment is in the case of the bridge with
ging and sagging moments increase with the increase in the 36 cables and side to main span ratio 0.50.
number of cables from 12 to 36. The increase in sagging mo- The cables away from the tower are more effective in sup-
ment is between 30.88 and 25.23% for side to main span ratios porting the loads (Figs. 8 and 9). The cables with smaller
0.35 and 0.50, respectively. The increase in hogging moment rigidity develop smaller tension. For the two central panel
is between 28.8 and 0.4%. The variation of sagging moment lengths, Figs. 8 and 9 show the cable tensions for the bridge
for the smaller panel is linear but in the other cases, this var- with 12, 20, 28, and 36 cables with a side to main span ratio
iation is nonlinear. The hogging moments increase for a of 0.40. Figs. 10 and 11 show the distribution of the bending
reduced length of central panel between 2.1 and 8.5%. The moments in the girder for the two cases of central panel length.
sagging moments decrease between 15.6 and 31.0% with the These figures also indicate that the girder moments are larger
reduction in the length of the central panel. The maximum in the case of bridges with larger number of cables.
JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING / MAY 1997/63

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 40 Data
LT =360m
LS/L M =O./IJ
30000 Ie =lZ
Ht/Lr=0.100
2000 7\ =83000
Radiating Arrangement
n=12
E
...z
....c
III
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CII
E
o
~
-1000

-2000

-3000

FIG. 10. Distribution of Moments in Girder (Ie =~)

5000

Data
LT =360m
LS/LM=O 40
lc = 0.2 x LM
Ht/LT = 0.100
t 2000 7\ = 83000
Radiating Arrangement
E
~ 1000
...c
III

CII
E
o
~

-1000

-2000

-3000

FIG. 11. Distribution of Moments in Girder (Ie =0.02 X L M)

Preparation of Design Curves parameter (A) were taken as 62,000 and 83,000, with tower
The combined effect of several parameters on girder mo- height to total bridge length ratios of 0.075,0.100, and 0.125.
An attempt has been made to keep the various parameters
ments and cable tensions was studied. The results have been
considered in this study within the practical range of values.
presented in the form of design curves. Values of girder mo-
The variation of maximum cable tension, as well as positive
ments and cable tension are presented in a dimensionless form.
and negative girder moments has been evaluated in the fol-
These curves will help the designer make preliminary design
estimates and decide the various parameters. lowing dimensionless form:
. Results are given for the radiating arrangement only, which
· bl . (T)
IS the most economical one. Overall dimensions and other pa- MaXlmum ca e tension = MaximumwL
cable tension
(6)
rameters are the same as stated in Art 3. Two values of stiffness T

64/ JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING / MAY 1997

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 0.224
Fig. 13 indicates that the negative girder moments decrease
sharply when the side to main span ratio increases from 0.35
to 0.40. For further increase in this ratio, the moments do not
0.196 change appreciably. This effect is more pronounced in bridges
with small tower heights and large number of cables. It is
t 0.168 worth noting that the calculations for moments are done for
side to main span ratios of 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50. If in-
I-J!
c:
0.140
termediate values between 0.35 and DAD were to be computed,
the moment curves may be expected to smoothen out.
o
·ift
~ 0.112
Comparison of Steel
~
In this section the economics of harp and radiating arrange-
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<3 0.064
..
E.
o Data Data
ments, which are commonly used, has been compared [Figs.
3(a) and 3(b)]. The studies carried out in this section are
~
0.056 Htk =O.loo
Ht!LT=0.100 T mainly divided into two parts: first, the effect of the number
Ie" 0.2 xLM le=l2 of cables on the weight of steel in cables and girders, and the
'-" 83000 ,-.83000
0.028
Load =U. D.L. Load=U.D.L, total steel in both harp and radiating bridges is investigated;
second, the effect of the cable stiffness on the same weight
parameters is investigated (Agrawal 1979).
0.50 The steel requirement in the girder was evaluated on the
Side to Moln Span Ratio - basis of the computed moments. At sections, where the rigidity
FIG. 12. Cable Tension (section modulus) requirements fall below half the maximum
value, a section with half the maximum rigidity is deemed to
0.0064,----------r------------, be provided. It was further assumed that the web contains one-
third the amount of steel contained in the flanges. The cables
0.0056 were designed on the basis of computed tension.

t 0.00.48 Effect of Number of Cables on Weight of Cables and Girders

The girder moments and the cable forces are influenced by
~.0040 3.
2.
the number of cables in one vertical plane. Consequently it
20
is expected that the weight of steel in cables and girders, as
tg 0.0032 well as their combined weight will be affected by the number
of cables. Here the weight of steel in the harp and radiating

".~~
:II
L. arrangements with the number of cables in one plane taken
~ 0.0024
~ 3.
E. 28
20
j 0.0016 n: 12
Data (-ve)
O~ta12 -::::~~-(;o:_v~. ):====i 300000

Htl L • 0.100 Ht!LT=0.100

0.0008
lc' b.2 x LM le =12 270000
83000
1<. = ". 83000
Load =U.D.L Load =U.O.L.

0.50 240000
0·30
Side to Main Span Ratlo_

FIG. 13. Girder Moments t 210000

Maximum positive girder moment (Mp ) Total
'" 180000
~

Maximum positive girder moment 1 -- GIrder

wL~ (7) : 150000 Data
o
Ls/L M"O.40
Maximum negative girder moment (M.) 1: Ht ILT =0.100
Maximum negative girder moment
'"
~ 120000 lc= O.2lM
= wL~ (8)
11= 62000
Load = 50kN/m (U.D.L)
90000
where w = intensity of the uniformly distributed load over the Legend
entire span. - - Radiating
The variation of cable tension with side span to main span 60000
----- Harp
ratio is plotted in Fig. 12, and the variation of girder moments,
both positive and negative, are plotted in Fig. 13. These curves 30000
are representative of the design curves for maximum cable ------------ ---- -- Cable
tension and girder moments. Due to shortage of space not all
the curves are shown here. Data are available in these figures
for all of the foregoing parameter combinations. These curves
can be used very readily for arriving at preliminary dimensions
° No. of Cables_

of cable-stayed bridges and carrying out a quick cost analysis FIG. 14. Steel Comparisons of Harp and Radiating Arrange-
so as to decide the configuration for final checking. ments

JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING / MAY 1997/65

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 TABLE 1. Steel Comparison of Harp and Radiating Arrange- Data
ments (Weight In kg) 4,/LM =0./,0
HtlLT =0.100
Num- Radiating Arrangements Harp Arrangement le= 0.2 LM
ber of \ Load =SOkN/m (U.D.LI
\
cables Cables Girder Total Cables Girder Total \ \ LeQend
(1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) \ \
\ \ - - Radiating
\ \ -----Harp
12 22,200 196,000 218,200 24,200 230,900 255,100
20 22,350 181,000 203,350 24,900 180,700 205,600 \\\ \
28 22.900 173,400 196,300 25,100 167,000 192,100 \ \
36 23.300 166,700 190,000 25,300 159,000 184,300 \ \

,,
\ \
\
\
\ \
as 12, 20, 28, and 36 was investigated. The load for the " ...
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\
\
preceding study was taken as 50 leN/m (5 tIm) over the entire .........

span.
The separate weight of steel in cables and girders as well
as the total weight were worked out, as shown in Fig. 14 and
in Table 1. The weight of steel in cables is much smaller than
that of the girders. Further, the weight of steel in cables is not
much influenced by their numbers. As the number of cables
is increased from 12 to 36, the weight of steel in cables in-
creases by 4.95 and 4.54% in the radiating and harp arrange-
ments, respectively. The weight of steel in cables is 8.66%
higher in the harp arrangement with 36 cables.
In both arrangements the weight of steel in girders as well
as the total weight decrease sharply with the increase in num-
ber of cables. The decrease in the weight <:if the girders is
14.93 and 31.14% for radiating and harp arrangements when
the number of cables is increased from 12 to 36. Comparable
decrease in total steel is 12.92 and 27.75%, respectively. The
weight of steel in girders and the combined weight of cables
and girder are 17.81 and 16.91% higher in the harp arrange-
ment with 12 cables, while in the case of 36 cables, these
weights are lower by 4.60 and 3.0%, respectively.
The combined weight of steel in cables and girders is ap-
proximately equal in both arrangements with 20 cables. It is
seen that the weight of steel in girders is much larger than that
in cables. Hence the girder moments will govern the weight
of steel in a bridge. It is also observed that the weight of steel
in cables and girders and the total steel are higher when the
main span is loaded (Agrawal 1979). It is suggested that for
design purposes the uniformly distributed deal load over the
total bridge length and the live load over the main span should
be considered.
Effect of Cable Stiffness on Steel in Cable and Girder
The weight of steel in cable-stayed bridges could vary
substantially with variation of the cable stiffness or flexural
rigidity of the girders. The girder moments vary linearly with
variation of girder stiffness, hence the weight of steel will also
vary proportionately. The girder moments in these bridges de-
crease sharply with the increase of cable rigidity, and it is
reasonable to expect that the weight of steel in the girder will
decrease with the increase in the cable cross section. The
weight of steel in cables will however increase with the in-
crease in their size. It is therefore of interest to study the com-
bined weight of material used in the cables and girders as the
cable size is varied. The details of the structures analyzed and
the variation studied for this purpose are given in Figs. 3(a)
and 3(b).
Fig. 15 shows the variation of weight of steel in cables
and girders and the total steel due to variation in cable size.
The weight of the steel in cables varies linearly with change
in the cable cross section. For the radiating arrangement the
weight of steel in cables chan~es by 7.8% as the area is in-
creased from 0.0133 to 0.15 mper cable. The corresponding
change in the harp arrangement is 20.3%. The weight of steel
in cables in the harp arrangement is higher by 1.0% at a cable
66/ JOURNAL OF BRIDGE ENGINEERING / MAY 1997
~
"",
... '......... ..... ...............
i
~
160000 ... ~-
-- --
';-:,:-:_:-_-~-~-~-_-~-~...:.:::-.::-.::-""- Total
12‫סס‬oo ~-.. Girder
8
40
. - - - - - - -- ---- -- --- ----
FIG. 15. Effect of Cable Area on Weight of Steel In Harp and
Radiating Arrangements
area of 0.0133 m 2 and 12.5% at 0.15 m 2 as compared to that
in the radiating arrangement. The weight of steel in a girder
and the combined weight of cables and girders decrease
sharply with the increase in cable area. For the radiating ar-
rangement the weight of steel in the girder and the combined
weight of cables and girders at an area of 0.15 m 2 per cable
are reduced to 0.63 and 0.68 times the weight of steel at the
cable area of 0.0133 m 2 per cable while in the harp arrange-
ment these become 0.30 and 0.39 times, respectively. In the
harp arrangement the weight of steel in the girder and the
combined weight of girders and cables are higher by 118 and
76% as compared to those in the radiating arrangement at an
area 0.0133 m 2 per cable. The differences in these weights at
an area 0.15 m 2 per cable are 5.3 and 1.9%, respectively. The
combined weight of steel in cables and girders does not
change appreciably when the cable area is increased beyond
0.10 m 2 in the radiating arrangement and 0.15 m2 in the harp
arrangement.
CONCLUSIONS
From the preceding study, the following conclusions are ob-
tained.
The maximum cable tension decreases rapidly with the in-
crease in the number of cables.
In the case of side to main span ratios of 0.35 and 0.40, the
cable tension increases with the decrease in length of the cen-
tral panel. For side to main span ratios of 0.45 and 0.50, for
a smaller number of cables, it increases with the decrease in
length of the central panel, but for a larger number of cables,
the trend reverses. For bridges with 16 cables, the cable ten-
sion becomes equal in both cases. However, in general, the
difference in cable tension in the preceding two cases of panel
lengths is very small.
In general, the effect of length of the central panel on the
sagging moment is significant, while on the hogging moment,
the effect is not appreciable.
Both the sagging and hogging moments increase with the
increase in number of cables from 12 to 36.

J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67

 The vanatlOn of sagging moment for the smaller panel
length is linear but in the other cases, this variation is nonlin-
ear.
The weight of steel in cables is much smaller compared to
that of girders.
The change in the number of cables does not affect the
weight of steel in cables appreciably.
For a smaller number of cables the total weight of steel in
the harp arrangement is larger compared to that of the radiating
arrangement. The total weight of steel of these arrangements
with 20 cables is approximately equal.
In both the arrangements the total weight of steel is largest
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when the main span is fully loaded.
The effect of cable area on the weight of steel in cables is
small.
The effect of cable area on the weight of steel in girders
and the total weight is large for the small values of the cable
area and then change becomes gradual.
The combined weight of steel in cables and girders does not
change appreciably when the cable area is increased beyond
0.10 m 2 in the radiating arrangement and 0.15 m 2 in the harp
arrangement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The writer is highly thankful to Pradeep Kumar Mehta, Senior Re-
search Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering, Banaras Hindu
University, for his continuous help in correcting the paper.
J. Bridge Eng., 1997, 2(2): 61-67
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