Dead Load Analysis of Cable-Stayed Bridge

For cable-stayed bridges the cable forces are an important factor in the design process. By analyzing a simple structural system, the procedure using the analysis program MiDAS is illustrated. The generation of the model for the finished dead stage analysis is illustrated in detail, including the boundary conditions and variations in loading. The optimization method of unknown load factor is used to determine the cable forces to achieve an ideal state. The ideal cable forces are established and a construction stage analysis is performed. The maximum cable forces are proved to be in the allowable limits. The results obtained revealed that the method presented indeed leads to optimal structural performance for the cable-stayed bridge in Particular, and might be a useful reference for the design of other similar bridges.