Cable Structures

Contents
[hide]

 1 Introduction
 2 Benefits
 3 History
 4 Types of Cable Structures
o 4.1 Cable-Stayed Bridges
o 4.2 Suspension Bridges
 5 Example Question
 6 References

Introduction

Figure 1.1: Cables can hold tension but not compression

A cable structure is a type of structure that utilizes tensioned cables to support or transmit the major
loads of the structure. In conventional structures concrete columns are usually used to support the
self-weight of the structure as well as the downward loads but there are cases where this system is
undesirable. Take for instance a soccer stadium. A major column to take the dead load of the roof of
the stadium cannot be place in the middle of the structure because it would land in the middle of the
field. An exoskeleton could be used, but it would probably mean the structure would have to be very
large to be able to support such a large heavy roof[1]. So instead cable structures can be used.
Cables attached to the ground away from the structure 'pull' on the roof displacing the dead load and
other roof loads to where the cables are anchored[1]. In this example, compressional forces are
exchanged for tensional forces and the loads from the center of the structure are displaced to the
extremities.
Cables can be made of practically any material, such as wool or any other natural or artificial fibers,
but in most engineering applications cables will be made of steel.
Cables have a few properties which are worth noting. First, while it is possible to pull on something
with a cable or to have a cable take a tensional load, cables cannot push on something or take
compressional loads. Another property of cables is a consequence of Newton's third law[2], every
action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of cables this means that if a tensional load is
applied at one end of the cable that same force will be experienced throughout the length of the
cable, all the way to the opposite end.

Benefits
Figure 2.1: Tension of Cable

One benefit of cable structures is that the tension forces in the cables can be used as points of
references in the analysis of stuctures. For example, Figure 2.1 involves a weight (w) which causes
tension in the cable. This weight pushes the cable down. The cable is now in tension and forms an
angle with the horizontal. Given this weight and the angles that the cable forms with the horizontal,
the tension in the cables can be calculated with simple vector addition. If this cable was in
compression, it would take more than the weight to determine anything within the structure.[3]

Figure 2.2: Guy Wire Example

Stability is another benefit of tensile structures. The tension in the cables cause the resulting
structure to be stable. This is commonly demonstrated in tents. As tents, or any structure of that
nature, are held by guy wires, which are connected to a grounded point located at the centre of the
structure, loads are free to act anywhere on the structure. This is because the guy wires are initially
in tension. One can also say the guy wires are in pre-tension because of the fact that the guy wires
are in stationary position until a load is being applied to it.[4]
One of the major benefits of cable structures is that they allow you to displace loads from one part of
a structure to another part of the structure. In the previous example the roof load of a soccer stadium
which was located at the center of the structure was displaced to the extremities of the structure. In
contrast the loads from a structure can be displaced from its extremities to a central pillar. Such is
the case for cable stayed bridges[5] and suspension bridges[6] which will be discussed in greater
detail later. It is important to note that mixtures or hybrids of structures can be used as well. Take for
example a suspension bridge that instead of using two main cable lines to take the loads from the
individual vertical lines supporting the roadway, an arched bridge could be built with cables hanging
from the arched structure and holding the loads from the roadway instead. Please refer to Arch
Structures for more information on arched structures.
Another benefit of cables structures is that compared to reinforced concrete, cables weigh
significantly less[7] and they can generally hold materials such as Kevlar vinyl[8] and other 'soft
materials'. These soft materials act like a sheet or blanket being pulled out at each corner, tension in
the material opens it up and gives it structure. Cables supply the required tension to keep these ‘soft
materials’ open and rigid.

History
From ancient Roman canopies and rope bridges, to modern day tents and suspension bridges cable
structures, also known as tensile structures, are applications of "tension-only" members.[4] It was not
known that steel cables, which first appeared during the industrial revolution,[4] could effectively be
used in structures until the late nineteenth century, when Vladimir Shukhov of Nizhny Novgorod,
Russia constructed the first tensile steel shell.[9] Although Vladimir's creation was a roof instalment,
this opened doors for today's engineers to explore what is possible with cable structures.
The technology behind cable structures has advanced since the time of Vladimir Shokhov, allowing
for bigger and more ambitious projects to be undertaken. An organization by the name of Geiger
engineers have built numerous tensile structures and roofs over the past 30 years, from the Canada
Harbour Place Roof Replacement to the more recent B.C. Place Stadium Revitalization which added
a new retractable roof.[10] Another organization that has pushed the envelope of tensile structures is
Eide Industries, who have focused their efforts towards using tensile structures for architectural
purposes.[11] Eide Industries' tensile structures have a unique aesthetic to them whic would not be
possible in conventional structures. As well fabrics are now being added to these types of structures
giving rise to numerous benefits such as making them more cost efficient, making them more
environmentally friendly, increasing their life span, making them easier to install and many more.[12]

Types of Cable Structures

Cable-Stayed Bridges

Figure 4.1: Simplified illustration of a Cable Stayed Bridge

In our day-to-day life we come across a variety of different bridges. Some of them have cables as a
vital part of their structure. One of the examples of such type of bridges are Cable-Stayed Bridges.
These bridges are very common when it comes to pedestrian bridges, highway bridges and bridges
for pipelines[13]. According to W.Podolny and J. Scalzi's book "Construction and Design of Cable
Stayed Bridges", it was during the 1950's that these types of bridges gained popularity with Germany
being on the forefront who constructed several Cable stayed bridges across river Rhine. Few of the
main reasons for the development of these types of bridges was their low cost of construction, the
speed of erection and the fact that they had the potential to cover a relatively longer spans[14].

Figure 4.2: Deflection of Cable Stayed Bridge

W.Podolny and J.Scalzi define a modern day cable stayed-bridge as " A bridge which consists of a
superstructure of steel or reinforced concrete members that is supported at one or more points by
cables extending from one or more towers."[15]. The cables transfer their tensile load to the towers as
shown in the Figure [4.1]. This load is then transferred to the main column on which the tower is
constructed. The most common type of materials used for the superstructure of these kind of bridges
are either concrete or steel. And each of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

Suspension Bridges

Figure 4.3: Simplified illustration of a Suspension bridge

Suspension bridges are one of the most beautiful civil engineering structures in the world. It is a
beautiful combination of ropes, steel and concrete. The earliest known occurrence of a suspension
bridge was a bridge built across the Indus River near the Swat in A.D. 400. The origins of the
suspension bridges can be traced back to the warm countries of South-East Asia due to their
availability of creepers, vines and other trailing plants [16]. In a suspension bridge there is a
suspender cable which runs the entire length of the bridge and is supported by two or more towers.
From this suspender cable, vertical or radiating rods or suspension cables are suspended which
hold up the deck of the bridge. As illustrated in the Figure [4.3]. According to Pugsley's book "The
Theory of Suspension Bridges", suspension bridges only captured the western people's interest on a
large scale after the introduction of wrought iron [17]. The Brooklyn Bridge is considered one of the
biggest successes in the civil engineering field. Its successful construction gave rise to a lot of
excitement amongst the engineers all over the world and the American engineers came to be
recognized as the experts in the construction of suspension bridges[18]. The design theory which was
developed by Moiseiff and Steinman was used in the construction of all the suspension bridges.

Example Question
As was previously mentioned cables can only take load in tension, this must be taken into account
when analyzing cable structures. For example, it can be seen by inspection that the simple cable
structure depicted in figure 5.1 is statically indeterminate with the vertical reactions of cables A (Ay)
and B (By) as well as the vertical and horizontal reactions at pin C (Cy and Cx) being unknown. The
solution can be simplified by implementing the need for cables A and B to be in tension for them to
supply a reaction.

Figure 5.1: A simple cable structure

First examine the collapse mechanism of the structure if the two cables were to be removed. As can
be seen in figure 5.2 the beam would rotate clockwise about the pin C. To counteract this rotation
cable B would have to supply a force upward, translating to tension in the cable, and cable A would
have to supply a downward force, translating to compression in the cable. Since cables are unable
to take load in compression the reaction force of the cable A will be zero.

Figure 5.2: The collapse mechanism of the structure with its cable supports removed

Now that the system has been simplified to three unknowns it only remains to use the equations of
static equilibrium to solve for them, the free body diagram of the system can be seen in figure 3.3.
By taking the sum of the forces in the x direction it can be seen that ∑Fx=Cx=0. To solve for the
remaining two reactions start by taking the moment about the pin C.

Figure 5.3: The free body diagram of the structure with the support reaction at Aremoved

∑MC=0
0=(By⋅4m)−(100kN⋅2m)
Missing close brace
By=50kN

Finally, to solve for the remaining reaction simply take the sum of the forces in the y direction
∑Fy=0
0=By+Cy−100kN
Cy=100kN−50kN
Cy=50kN
3 Dimensional Cable Supporters Example
Consider the example above illustrating a suspended load carried by three cable supports. The load
is assumed to be a chandelier weighing 60 lbs. It can, however, be a part of a steel deck due to the
wide variety of applications of cable supporters. The analysis and calculation principles remain the
same nonetheless. For the object to be in equilibrium, the sum of the forces in all directions must be
equal to zero. Since the example provides the distances in the x, y, and z axes between the end of
each supporter (where it is connected to the wall) and the origin, where the load is connected, one
can establish a unit vector for every cable. A unit vector represents the force components on every
axis that a cable support is experiencing when carrying the load. After establishing a unit vector for
every cable, the components of every axis are summed separately and then solved as part of a
three equation-three unknown system. Within the force components, i refers to the x axis, j to the y,
and k to the z.
We begin the analysis with the first cable on the left (Cable A). The cable is in the X-Z axes (4 feet in
the x direction and 3 feet in the z direction), hence it is categorized as 4i + 3k.
The next cable (Cable B) is 5 feet right, 6 feet up, and 4 feet south of the origin (out of the page),
hence characterized by -5i + 4j + 6k.
The third cable is (Cable C) is 5 feet right, 6 feet up, and 5 feet north of the origin (into the page),
hence characterized by -5i - 5j + 6k.
The load is represented by -k.
Now that we have the direction of each cable, we can multiply the force by the unit vector to
separate the components.
Cable A:
Unit Vector: (4i + 3k) / √(4^2 + 3^2) = 0.8i + 0.6k Force: 0.8Fa (i) + 0.6Fa (k)
Cable B:
Unit Vector:(-5i + 4j + 6k) / √(5^2 + 4^2 + 6^2) = -0.57i + 0.46j + 0.68k Force: -0.57Fb (i) + 0.46Fb (j)
+ 0.68Fb (k)
Cable C:
Unit Vector: (-5i - 5j + 6k) / √(5^2 + 5^2 + 6^2) = -0.54i -0.54j + 0.65k Force: -0.54Fc (i) - 0.54Fc (j) +
0.65Fc (k)
Next, we can proceed to sum the forces about the x, y, and axes independently.
Sum X-axis: 0.8Fa - 0.57Fb - 0.54Fc = 0
Sum Y-axis: 0.46Fb - 0.54Fc = 0
Sum Z-axis: 0.6Fa + 0.68Fb + 0.65Fc - 60 = 0
Solving the equations above nets the following result:
Fa = 38.5 lbs Fb = 29.9 lbs Fc = 25.5 lbs
Note the similarity between the forces in cables B and C as they are symmetrical in the x and z axes.
Understanding the analysis of cable supports is an important skill for structural engineers to hone,
and the example above is an excellent representation of one of many systems and applications of
cable supports.

How Tensile Structure Works

Tensile Structure VS Conventional Structure

Conventional building structures, such as concrete, steel, wood or masonry, have two main
properties: GRAVITY and RIGIDITY. It is these properties that make them stable and capable of
transmitting load.

In tensile structure gravity and rigidity are not available as the critical structural properties, for
they are so light and their components are often flexible. So to achieve stability and strength, their
components require arrangement in a specific geometric form (surface shape), while being
subjected to a specific pattern of INTERNAL STRESSES.

Case of A Clothesline

We could describe this through the case of a clothesline.

A clothesline with laundry will assume a smooth downward bow in response to both its own
weight and the weight of the items of laundry. As long as there are no other forces acting on the
system, it will stay this shape. If add a wet shirt in the middle, this shape will change, deflecting
downward where the shirt is added, and flattening out at each side to retain its overall length and
stay taut.

If there is wind, the situation will change dramatically: under gusty conditions, the clothesline will
lose its initial shape, flapping up and down. During this process, our line will go through a slack
stage, during which the stabilizing tensile force is lost.
Then the clothesline gets to a new taut.

Adding more weights could solve the problem.

Alternatively, the clothesline could be stabilized by adding a reversed cable on top, pushing down
on the line with struts. But this is not enough, for the structure will simply flip sideways or invert.
Stay cables anchored back to the tree will avoid this.

A reversed rope line below the main rope, with vertical strings connecting the two, is simpler and
more effective. This is the most stable and the most sensible solution.
Cable Model

If we consider these two lines to be cables in a roof structure, and turn the lower cable by 90
degree to run across the upper one, we will achieve a stable point at their intersection.

Adding two more time-down cables parallel to the first will generate two more stable intersection
points.
The additions of edge cables placed between the upper and lower support points begins to turn
this arrangement into a two-way cable net that is completed by adding denser sets of cables,
parallel to the original ones, in each direction.

We get a two-way cable net structure that has one unique characteristic: any two cables that meet
at an intersection point, or node, are bent in opposite directions, one pulling downward and one
pulling upward, thereby exerting pressure against each other. When we put this cable into
tension, we increase the internal tension. The higher the initial tensions, or pre-stress level, the
more stable and stiff the cable net system will become.
Outside Link to "Tensile Structure Design & Analyses"

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/arch374/winter2002/psyisun/howtensileworks.htm

Cable and Tension Structures

High strength steel cables have been used extensively over the past twenty
five years for space roof structures. There are two different possibilities
when using steel cables in roof structures.The first possibility, consists of
using the cables only for suspension of the main roof structure, which can be
either conventional, e.g. beams, cantilevers, etc., or a space frame. In this
case, the main roof structure, instead of being supported, is actually
suspended from steel cables above the roof, which transmit the tensile
forces to appropriate anchorages (Figure 1). They are cable-stayed roofs.
 Fig: 1. Cable-stayed roofs
There are many examples of this type of construction used as industrial
buildings where the roof structure, either as a single or as a double
cantilever, is suspended from cables, which in turn are anchored on robust
pylons above the roof level.

In this type of construction, the cables behave as simple suspension

elements, while the roof structure itself behaves like a normal load resisting
unit, subject to moments, shears, and other kinds of action effect. It is
expected that the suspending elements remain in tension, even under wind
uplift, due to the dead weight of the roof.

The second possibility is represented by those roof structures where the

steel cables are effective members of the roof structure itself, and not just
conveyors of forces from the structure to the anchorages. In this type of
construction (tension structures), the cables themselves resist the various
external loads. Their particular behavior has deeply influenced the structural
forms used and has imposed new methods of execution.

Tension structures may be categorized as:

(a) Single-layer cable systems (Figure 2a)
 Fig: 2. Single and double cable systems
(b) Double-layer prestressed cable truss systems (Figure 2b)
(c) Prestressed tensile membrane systems (Figure 3)

Fig: 3. Prestressed tensile membrane system

Tension structures are used to cover stadia, arenas, swimming pools,
recreation halls and other buildings where a large area for public assembly
and exceptional aesthetic effect are required simultaneously.

There are some particular problems associated with these cable-stayed and tension roof
structures.
A first problem derives from the fact that the cable is flexible. It assumes a
shape compatible with the applied loads whilst architectural and building
requirements demand that the structure has a definite form. Any deviations
from that form due to the action of the applied loads, must be kept to a
minimum. To meet this requirement, a pretension must be introduced into
the structure, which must be compatible with the desired shape, and when
combined with the applied loads, must maintain the deformation between
specified limits. Design may therefore involve use of mathematical ‘form-
finding’ procedures, implemented by appropriate software.

Another feature of these structures is their geometrically non-linear

behaviour. Deformations play an essential role in the analysis and the
principle of superposition of effects is not valid.

Finally, an important problem associated with these structures is their

sensitivity to aerodynamic instability, e.g. flutter. This sensitivity imposes
special requirements on the design and the constructional details of these
systems, particularly those which use membranes made of lightweight fabric
as cladding.

The requirements of stiffness under transverse loading and anchorage are

major form determinants for cable structures, and these are examined in the
following sections.

Single cable structures are characterized by their flexibility, Figure 3. They

require stiffening to prevent a change of shape with each variation in load
and to make them capable of resisting uplift due to wind, Figure 5. Gusty
winds can produce oscillations, unless damping is provided to the structure.

Fig: 4. Single cable: Load/shape relations

 Fig: 5. Cable stability: Plane systems
The principal methods of providing stability are the following:
i. Additional permanent load supported on, or suspended from, the roof,
sufficient to neutralize the effects of asymmetrical variable actions or uplift
Figure 5a).

This arrangement has the drawback that it eliminates the lightweight nature
of the structure, adding significant cost to the entire structure.

ii. Rigid members acting as beams, where permanent load may not be
adequate to counteract uplift forces completely, but where there is sufficient
flexural rigidity to deal with the net uplift forces, whilst availing of cables to
help resist effects of gravity loading (Figure 5b).
 Fig: 5. Cable stability: Plane systems
iii. Rigid surfaces behaving as inverted shells or vaults, where uplift forces
are countered by the in-plane compressive rigidity of the structure (Figure
5c).

iv. Secondary cables prestressing the main cables so that these remain in
tension under all conditions of load. Such prestressing can take a variety of
forms:

· a stayed (guyed) arrangement, wherein the main cable is stayed to other

elements or to the ground, as in the case of guyed trusses (Figure 5d).

· A planar arrangement of suspension and stabilising cables, with opposite

curvatures cables, Figure 4e. This structure reacts elastically to all changes
of shape provoked by the externally applied loads. This principle can be
extended to permit creation of space trusses, or structures of revolution.
· An orthogonal or diagonal arrangement of suspension and stabilising
cables, with opposite curvatures, forming an anticlastic (saddle-shaped)
surface, Figure 5f and 6.

Fig: 6. Cable stability: anticlastic cable

Figures 4 and 5 shows the application of these general principles to cable
and cable-stayed systems, whilst Figure 6 details the structural actions of
pre stressed cable truss systems. Accurately defined, a cable truss system
has a triangulated structural form which increases stiffness, particularly
under non-symmetric loading. However, the term is also frequently applied
to the cables with opposite curvature shown in Figure 5e.

Fig: 7. Cable stability: cable trusses

The orthogonal or diagonal arrangement of anticlastic cables shown in Figure
6 can also be extended to the conical form shown in Figure 7. The increasing
use of horizontal ring cables, from Figure 8 to 8c enhances stiffness against
asymmetric loading. Because of the difficulty of anchoring a large number of
cables at a point, the top is usually flattened as shown in Figure 8d.
 Fig: 8. conical membrane
.
 Fig: 9. Complex tent system with multiple interior supports and internal anchorages
Anchorage

Cable stayed structures generate a requirement for the anchoring of tension

forces. Some of the commoner solutions are:
i. Vertical and horizontal reactions provided by axially loaded elements –
stayed columns used with ground anchors (Figure 10a).

Fig: 10. Cable anchorage systems

ii. Vertical and horizontal reactions provided by flexural elements i.e.
cantilever columns (Figure 10b) or legged columns (Figure 10c).
iii. Vertical columns acting with horizontally loaded edge beams which
transfer horizontal reactions to rigid diaphragms (Figure 10d).

iv. Inclined walls, or vertical cylindrically curved walls (Figure 11a).

Fig: 11. Cable anchorage system-2

v. Form-related boundary shapes, creating, in some cases, a closed self-
equilibrating system of tension and compressive forces and requiring no
tension ground anchors (Figure 11b).

The magnitude of forces in stayed columns and in diagonal stay restraining

cables is reduced by inclining the columns. In some symmetrical structures
lateral thrust is balanced by means of struts at foundation level.
https://theconstructor.org/structural-engg/cable-and-tension-structures-2/419/

1. . CABLES STRUCUTRES
2. 2. Group Members  SHOAIB SAFDAR (12-CE-12)  M.FAIZAN (12-CE-76)  JIBRAN
BALOCH (12-CE-152)
3. 3. Contents  Introduction  Types  Suspension Bridges  Cable-Stayed Bridges 
Examples  Advantages  Disadvantages  Comparison
4. 4. INTRODUCTION  A cable is a flexible structural component that offers no resistance
when compressed or bent in a curved shape. Technically we can say cable has zero bending
rigidity.  It can only support tensile loading.  Cables are often used in engineering
structures for support and to transmit load from one point to another when used to support
suspension roofs, bridges and trolley wheels, cables form the main load carrying element in
the structure.  In analysis of cables the weight of itself cable is rejected . We assume that
cable is flexible and inextensible. Due to its flexibility cables offers no resistance to shear or
bending.
5. 5. Continued……  Being inextensible the cable has constant length before and after the
load is applied. As a result once the load is applied the geometry of cable remains fixed. 
The easiest structure type to think is a tension structure to resist only tensile force and of
these , the simplest are those which sustain only unidirectional tension as represented by a
cable or thin rod.  A cable is the main component of cable supported bridge or suspended
roof structures that are classified as follows.
6. 6. Types of Cables There are generally two types of cables structures. 1- Suspension type
Cables. 2- Stayed type Cables.
7. 7. Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco
8. 8. Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge:
9. 9. Load Bearing Mechanism of Suspension Bridge
10. 10. Suspension Bridge:  A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck (the
load-bearing portion) is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders.  This type of
bridge has cables suspended between towers, plus vertical suspender cables that carry the
weight of the deck below, upon which traffic crosses. This arrangement allows the deck to be
level or to arc upward for additional clearance.  The main type of force in a suspension
bridge are tension in cables and compression in the pillars.
11. 11.  The suspension cables must be anchored at each end of the bridge, since any load
applied to the bridge is transformed into a tension in these main cables.  The main cables
continue beyond the pillars to deck-level supports, and further continue to connections with
anchors in the ground.  The roadway is supported by vertical suspender cables or rods,
called hangers.  The bridge will usually have two smaller spans, running between either
pair of pillars and the highway, which may be supported by suspender cables or may use a
truss bridge to make this connection. In the latter case there will be very little arc in the
outboard main cables.
12. 12. Assumptions  Cables are pure tension members.  Used as  Supports to suspension
roofs  Suspension bridges  Trolley wheels  Self weight of cable is neglected in analysis of
above structures  When used as cables for antennas or transmission lines, weight is
considered.
13. 13. Cable-Stayed Bridges  A cable-stayed bridge has one or more towers (or pylons), from
which cables support the bridge deck.  There are two major classes of cable-stayed
bridges: harp and fan.  In the harp or parallel design, the cables are nearly parallel so that
the height of their attachment to the tower is proportional to the distance from the tower to
their mounting on the deck.  In the fan design, the cables all connect to or pass over the top
of the towers. The fan design is structurally superior with minimum moment applied to the
towers but for practical reasons the modified fan is preferred especially where many cables
are necessary. In the modified fan arrangement the cables terminate near to the top of the
tower but are spaced from each other sufficiently to allow better termination, improved
environmental protection, and good access to individual cables for maintenance
14. 14. Load Bearing Mechanism Of Cable-Stayed Bridges  In the cable-stayed bridge, the
towers are the primary load-bearing structures which transmit the bridge loads to the ground.
 A cantilever approach is often used to support the bridge deck near the towers, but lengths
further from them are supported by cables running directly to the towers.  This has the
disadvantage, compared to the suspension bridge, that the cables pull to the sides as
 opposed to directly up, requiring the bridge deck to be stronger to resist the resulting
horizontal compression loads; but has the advantage of not requiring firm anchorages to
resist the horizontal pull of the main cables of the suspension bridge.  By design all static
horizontal forces of the cable-stayed bridge are balanced so that the supporting towers do
not tend to tilt or slide, needing only to resist horizontal forces from the live loads.
15. 15. Kanchanaphisek Bridge, Bangkok.
16. 16. Rion-Antirion Bridge
17. 17. Advantages Of Suspension Bridges  Suspension bridges have a high strength to weight
ratio.  They are flexible (can also be disadvantage) and can span long distances with no
piers therefore good on very high places, across water etc. and they require little access
from below aiding construction.  They can be very thin and therefore less visible.  They
have an elegant look.  The area spanned by a suspension bridge is very long in proportion
to the amount of materials required to construct bridges.
18. 18. Disadvantages of Suspension Bridges  Flexibility Disadvantages Suspension bridges
are flexible, which is an advantage until conditions become severe. Instability in extremely
turbulent conditions or during strong earthquakes may require temporary closure. In 1940,
high winds caused the Tacoma Narrows bridge, near Seattle, Washington, to collapse. 
Foundation Disadvantages When built in soft ground, suspension bridges require extensive
and expensive foundation work to combat the effects of the heavy load on foundation towers.
 Heavy Loads Flexibility also becomes a disadvantage when heavy, concentrated loads are
involved. Suspension bridges are not generally used for regional rail crossings that carry
maximum weight loads, which adds dangerous stress to the structure.
19. 19. Advantages of Cable-Stayed Bridge  The cable-stayed deck is in compression, pulled
towards the towers, and has to be stiff at all stages of construction and use.  A great
advantage of the cable-stayed bridge is that it is essentially made of cantilevers, and can be
constructed by building out from the towers.  cable-stayed bridges possess higher stiffness
and display smaller deflections when compared with suspension bridges  Construction time
is less for cable stayed bridges.  Cable Stayed Bridges require less cables
20. 20. Comparison Suspension Bridge  Suspension bridges is normally limited to two towers.
 Suspension bridges require more cables  Construction time is longer for suspension
bridges.  Suspension Bridges possess less stiffness and display larger deflections when
compared with cable stayed bridges Cable Stayed Bridge  Cable-stayed bridges lies in the
fact that it can be built with any number of towers  Cable Stayed Bridges require less cables
 Construction time is less for cable stayed bridges.  cable-stayed bridges possess higher
stiffness and display smaller deflections when compared with suspension bridges
21. 21. Suspension Bridge  The deck of a suspension bridge is usually suspended by vertical
hangers, though But the structure is essentially flexible, and great effort must be made to
withstand the effects of traffic and wind  Suspension Bridge is not made of cantilevers
Cable-Stayed Bridge  The greater inherent rigidity of the triangulated cable-stayed bridges,
compared with the suspension type, makes life easier for their designers and builders.  A
great advantage of the cable-stayed bridge is that it is essentially made of cantilevers, and
can be constructed by building out from the towers.
22. 22. References  http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge7.htm 
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Suspension-Bridge.html 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_cable-stayed_bridge_spans 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russky_Bridge  http://www.roadtraffic-
technology.com/features/featurethe-worlds-longest-cable-stayed-bridges-
4180849/featurethe-worlds-longest-cable-stayed-bridges-4180849-2.html 
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge6.htm 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_longest_suspension_bridge_spans#mediaviewer/File:Aka
 shi_brid ge.jpg  http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-are-the-advantages-of-cable-stayed-
bridges-over-suspension- bridges-for-span-less-than-1000m.html
23. 23.  http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-are-the-advantages-of-cable-stayed-bridges-
over- suspension-bridges-for-span-less-than-1000m.html 
http://www.brantacan.co.uk/cable_stayed.htm 
http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=8HFECTPDXu8C&pg=SA26-PA1&lpg=SA26-
PA1&dq=load+bearing+mechanism+of+cable+stayed+bridge&source=bl&ots=2LSVTRhbHG
&sig=bjDYSHnufYjrEFg1Zz7eWkSZ5Jg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q8VxVLjTJsH9ygP3_ILQBw&v
ed=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=load%20bearing%20mechanism%20of%20cable%20st
a yed%20bridge&f=false  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable-
stayed_bridge#Comparison_with_suspension_bridge
https://www.slideshare.net/WaseemAkbar4/cable-strucutrespresentation