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Building Suspension Structures: Key Insights

The document discusses suspended structures, which use cables as the main load-carrying element. Cables can only support tension and have no resistance to bending or shear. There are two types of cable structures - suspension structures, where the cables hang between anchorages; and stayed structures, where cables connect directly from the deck to towers. Suspended structures offer advantages like low construction costs, ease of maintenance, versatility in where they can be built, attractive designs, and flexibility. Diagrams show examples of suspended bridges and roofs, and photographs demonstrate existing suspended structures like the Golden Gate Bridge, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Dulles Airport roof.

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Wia Abdullah
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4 views5 pages

Building Suspension Structures: Key Insights

The document discusses suspended structures, which use cables as the main load-carrying element. Cables can only support tension and have no resistance to bending or shear. There are two types of cable structures - suspension structures, where the cables hang between anchorages; and stayed structures, where cables connect directly from the deck to towers. Suspended structures offer advantages like low construction costs, ease of maintenance, versatility in where they can be built, attractive designs, and flexibility. Diagrams show examples of suspended bridges and roofs, and photographs demonstrate existing suspended structures like the Golden Gate Bridge, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Dulles Airport roof.

Uploaded by

Wia Abdullah
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

0 Introduction (Concept system and practice)

The suspended structure 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 and cable 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. 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 suspended structures that divided into two categories which are
suspension type cables and stayed type cables. The picture below shows the example of and
stayed cables.

Figure 1: Cable Stay Bridge

Figure 2: Stayed Bridge


2.0 Condition Need To Be Consider to Build Suspended Structure

Low Construction cost

Inexpensiveness of required materials needed for construction. With three basic necessities
such as cables, anchorages and roadways, suspension structures are possible to construct.

Ease of Maintenance

Suspended structures are known for their minimal maintenance requirements. Once
construction is completed, there are no immediate needs for additional materials like cables

Versatility

Suspended structure do not only cost less to build, they can also be built practically anywhere
so long as there are places for building support towers and anchorages

Attractive

Compared to truss and beam structure, suspension structure are more aesthetically pleasing.
The curved and linear features of these structure make them structurally beautiful.

Flexibility

One common reason that the choice to build a suspension structure is reached is if it is being
built in a high earthquake zone. This is because suspension structure are flexible due to the
cable system they are held up by.

Simple construction

No access is needed from below the bridge while it is being constructed, making it a great
choice for areas that ships and waterways need to stay clear.
3.0 Aid of diagram

Figure 3 and figure 4 below shows example of suspended structure diagram.

Figure 3: Suspended Bridge

Figure 4: Suspended Roof


4.0 Example of existing building

Figure 5: Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco

Figure 6: Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge

Figure 7: Dulles International Airport

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