Computation of stay cable forces in Segmental Construction of Concrete Cable-Stayed Bridges

Resumo

Concrete deck cable-stayed bridges are complex, highly hyper-static nonlinear structures. Design of
such structures must consider not only these aspects but also time-dependent effects (such as creep, shrinkage and
varying stiffness) of the concrete deck. Determination of the stay cables installation forces is highly influenced by
these effects, as well as by the construction method. Since these types of bridges are mostly constructed in phases,
these effects become even more pronounced. This work presents a methodology, using computational methods, to
compute stay cable forces in such bridges taking into account the construction method and time-dependent effects.
We also assess the distribution of internal (i.e., cross-sectional) forces of the deck as influenced by these effects.
The methodology will be applied to a case study consisted of the cable-stayed railway bridge over the Ayrton
Senna and Hélio Smidt freeways that give access to the André Franco Montoro International Airport in the city of
Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil. A thorough discussion of results, and comparisons between techniques, are provided.