Non-Linear Analysis and Design of Cable Systems in Suspension Bridges

The scope of the presented research project is to provide a reliable guideline for the preliminary design of cable supported bridges. In order to pursue this objective, a thorough literature research has been conducted in the first phase of the project. This has been of relevant importance for the understanding of the subject and further implementation of the case study: the design of a suspension bridge model in Strand7. The conducted research has shown that there is not a unique book to which engineers may refer in order to conduct the type of analysis presented in this project. Therefore, the proposed guideline has been created on the basis of multiple text books. Further analyses have been conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of theoretical-based results and software-based results. In particular the Steinman Modified Elastic Treatment has been applied to the case study and its results compared to those obtained on Strand7. The obtained results finally show that Steinman’s Theory represents a quick and reliable method to be adopted for preliminary design purposes as its results are in line with Strand7 results.