A CEAI Academy Programme
Refresher Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Planning and Design of Cable Supported Bridges
By
P G Venkatram
Mr P.G. VENKATRAM, Formerly the Chief Executive of L&T Infrastructure Engineering Limited, and
currently Chief Technology Officer in ASSYSTEM India Pvt. Ltd., has 40 years’ experience in design of all
kinds of bridges ranging from simple slab bridges to complex Cable stayed and extradosed Bridges.
He is a graduate in Civil Engineering from IIT, Madras and holds a Master’s degree from Carnegie
Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and is currently a member of IRC B2, B4 and B9
committees which formulate the Standards for Bridge loading and Concrete Bridges designs. Currently
he is also a Professor of Practice in Bridge Engineering in IIT Madras since August 2020.
In his Professional career, he has designed Aqueducts, Chimneys, TV Towers, Natural Draught Cooling
Towers, Aircraft hangars and many long span bridges.
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 1
Behaviour
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Cable Stayed Bridge
Balanced Cantilever
Kali River Extradosed Bridge Mandovi Bridge,
Bridge, Karwar 144 m Goa
Third Narmada
Bridge, Bharuch
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Load Transfer in the Superstructure
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Balanced Cantilever
a) 100% Live load effects through Flexure of the Concrete section including the
Internal Prestress
b) Minimal Fatigue effects on the Prestressing cables (100 % internal)
c) Deflection due to Live load entirely dependent on the Cross-section geometry and
the span stiffness.
2. Extradosed Bridges
a) 15 to 20 % Live load effects through extension of external stay like cables
b) Some fatigue effects on the External Prestressing cables.
c) Deflection due to Live load mostly dependent on the Cross-section geometry and
the span stiffness.
3. Cable stayed Bridges
a) 80% live load effects through extension of External Stay cables
b) Significant fatigue effects on the External Stay cables.
c) Deflection due to Live load mostly dependent on the Geometry of cables and their Cross-
sectional area.
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Planning
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Starts with the Bridge site requirement
2. Economic justification
3. Suitability of the choice with respect to the site topography
4. Constructability
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Investigations
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Standard Investigations such as Geotechnical, Topographic etc. are to be
supplemented by
a) Hydrological Model Studies
b) Site specific Seismic studies
c) Wind Tunnel Studies
These are necessary to develop a consistent and uniform Tender Conditions
and Specifications.
These are best done at the DPR stage as it’s the planning stage and hence
impact on the project execution is eliminated due to any study results.
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Bridge Statistics
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Cantilever Bridges
a) Longest Span – Yangtze River Bridge, China – 330 m
b) Smallest Span – Numerous but smallest around – 70 m
2. Extradosed Bridges
a) Longest Span – Golden Ears Bridge, Canada – 244 m
b) Smallest Span – Numerous but smallest around – 60 m
3. Cable Stayed Bridges
a) Longest Span – Russky Bridge, Russia – 1104 m
b) Smallest Span – Many possibility but smallest around – 70 m
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The record Bridges …. For now
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Yangtze River Russky Bridge,
Bridge, China Russia
Golden Ears
Bridge, Canada
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Material Choice – For the deck
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Extradosed Bridges
Invariably – Prestressed concrete Box girders of various proportions based
on functional requirements and construction convenience.
Cable Stayed Bridges
Depends upon the spans
a) For smaller spans (≤ 350 m) – Prestressed concrete Box girders
b) For medium spans ( > 350 m & ≤ 600 m) – Steel concrete composite section
c) For long spans (≥ 600 m) – Orthotropic Steel deck sections
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Span Proportioning
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
This starts with the Main Span requirements, usually dictated by
1. Depth of foundations
2. Navigational requirements / Obstacle size
3. Length of the crossing
The side spans are then decided based on one of the following:
1. Economy
2. Clearances based on site conditions/ any obstacles below
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Span Proportioning …
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
After the main spans are decided the side spans or the end spans,
whichever is the case, may be generally decided by the following general
guideline.
Cantilever Bridges – 0.65 to 0.80 of the main span
Extradosed Bridges – 0.45 to 0.69 of the main span
Cable Stayed Bridges – Depends upon the Superstructure material
For Steel deck – 0.33 of the main span
For Concrete deck – 0.42 of the main span
Point to Ponder – Why is this different for the different deck
arrangements?
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Span Proportioning …
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Cantilever Bridges
a) Span to Depth Ratio – Support – 1/16 to 1/20
b) Span to Depth Ratio – Midspan – 1/30 to 1/50
2. Extradosed Bridges
a) Span to Depth Ratio – 1/30 to 1/50
b) Upper Pylon to Span ratio – 1/8 to 1/12
3. Cable Stayed Bridges
a) Span to Depth Ratio – 1/50 to 1/250
b) Upper Pylon to Span ratio – 1/4 to 1/5
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Deck Cross Sections
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
It obviously depends upon the functional requirements.
a) Dual carriageways with very wide decks are better handled with
independent structures for long term maintenance considerations
b) Economic arrangements are always with a single deck for both
carriageways
c) Wide decks even for moderate spans for Extradosed Bridges challenge
the construction quality control requirements due to larger design
forces.
In India today we have deck widths ranging from 10 m for a two-lane
carriageway to 34 m wide for 8 lanes carriageway.
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Deck Cross Sections
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
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Cable Arrangements – In Cross-section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Fundamentally two types Lateral Cables - Third
1. Lateral Narmada Bridge, Bharuch
2. Central
Central Cables - Second
Vivekananda Bridge, Kolkata
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Cable Arrangements – In Cross-section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Choice depends upon the following
1. Functional requirements of the deck
2. Structural Stability
1. Lateral cables are automatic choice in an undivided carriageway
deck
2. Lateral cables are preferred choice in case the deck is not
sufficiently rigid torsionaly.
3. Central cables are more efficient in the overall sense; however,
this must be supported by a torsionaly rigid deck
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Cable Arrangements – In Cross-section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Lateral Cables – Undivided Central Cables – Divided
carriageway carriageway / lines
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Cable Arrangements – In Cross-section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Central Cables –
Torsionaly Stiff Box
Mandovi Bridge, Goa
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Cable Arrangements – In Cross-section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Naini Bridge, Prayagraj
Lateral Cables – Wide Deck
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Cable Arrangements – In Elevation
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Fundamentally three types Fan Type
1. Fan Type
2. Harp Type
3. Semi Fan type
Harp Type
Semi -fan Type
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A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Fan Type Harp Type
Semi-fan Type
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Cable Arrangements – In Elevation
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 21
Cable Arrangements – Connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 22
Cable connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Example of Apart Cable arrangement in an Extradosed Bridge
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Cable connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Example of Apart Cable arrangement in an Cable Stayed Bridge
Byet Dwaraka Bridge, Okha
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Cable connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 25
Connecting Structural Link saddle
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
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Cable connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Example of Link Saddle Cable arrangement in an Extradosed Bridge
Third Narmada Bridge, Bharuch
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Anti-slip block saddle
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
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Cable connection with Pylon
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Example of Anti-slip block Saddle Cable arrangement in an Cable
Stayed Bridge
Tapi Bridge, Surat
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Friction type saddle
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 30
Typical Design situation at Pylon Cable Connection
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 31
Typical Design situation at Pylon Cable Connection
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 32
Cable connection with Deck – Lateral cables
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Sectional View Side View
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Typical Design situation at Pylon Deck Connection
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 34
Cable connection with Deck – Central cables
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 35
Typical Design situation at Pylon Deck Connection
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Single Cell
Box Section
Multi Cell
Box Section
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Cable connection with Deck – Central cables
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 37
Pylon Configuration – Portal Type
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Portal Type
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Pylon Configuration – A & H frames
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
A Type with cables A Type with cables H Type with cables
in Inclined leg in Vertical leg in Vertical legs
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Pylon Configuration - Cantilever
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Short Medium Tall
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Pylon Cross section
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
Creating Value Ethically 7th September 2024 41
Foundation Selection
A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
1. Carrying out thorough geotechnical investigation
2. Choosing the appropriate type of foundation concept
3. Choosing appropriate design criteria and methods
4. Incorporating appropriate geotechnical model(s) in
the analysis with due regard to use of soil springs
and liquefaction depth where relevant.
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A CEAI Academy Course on Cable Stayed & Extradosed Bridges
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