Equivalent Model for Tower Design of Four-span Suspension Bridges

Abstract

This study proposes a simplified equivalent model for the tower design of four-span suspension bridges under static loads. The model consists of towers and equivalent springs that replace the suspension cables. The stiffness of the equivalent springs is derived based on the parabolic configuration of the cable. Finally, an example model for a four-span suspension bridge is used for verification and the resultant values of the towers are compared by using the proposed method and finite element analysis.