Robustness analysis of self-anchored suspension bridge with loss of a single sling

To analyze if the loss of a single sling of the self-anchored suspension bridge would cause progressive destruction to the remaining slings and to check if the value selected for the safety factor of the slings was rational, a self-anchored suspension bridge being built was taken as an example. The universal software ANSYS was used to set up the finite element model for the whole bridge of the example bridge, the static and dynamic response increment, the internal forces and dynamic amplification factors of the adjacent slings under the loss of a single sling were analyzed by the component removal method and the value for the safety factor of the slings was hence studied. The results of the analysis and study show that the impact of the loss of a single sling on the static and dynamic of the adjacent slings is violent and the dynamic effect is significant. As the value for the safety factor is reduced by 1.5, the loss of the shortest sling at side span will cause progressive destruction to the remaining slings on the same side and will result in the collapse of the bridge. It is rational that the value for the safety factor of the slings of the bridge should be 3.0 and the safety factor of such value can ensure the robustness of the bridge with the loss of a single sling. ©, 2014, Wuhan Bridge Research Institute. All right reserved.