Novel Technique for Configuration Transformation of 3D Curved Cables of Suspension Bridges: Application to the Dongtiao River Bridge

Configuration transformation is an important issue during the construction stage of spatial suspension bridges with three-dimensional (3D) curved cables. Without fully considering this issue, the hangers could rub or interfere due to contact with the cable duct at the connection of the cable and girder, which can cause damage to the hangers and hamper the construction procedure. A novel technique using lateral bracing members (LBMs) was proposed to aid the configuration transformation during the construction stage of suspension bridges. The lateral displacement and rotation angle were investigated to ensure safety during the construction process. Limitations of the conventional configuration transformation techniques were acknowledged. To demonstrate its capability, the proposed technique was applied to a suspension bridge, the Dongtiao River Bridge, located in Huzhou, China. Based on the results, it was concluded that the LBMs can provide an efficient, reliable, and economical solution to aid configuration transformation of 3D curved cables of suspension bridges during the construction stage.