Suspension bridges - Computational Analysis and Design of Bridge Structures - page 373

Table 12.1 Top 10 longest suspension bridges in the world

Main
span (m)

Year
of built No. Name Location

1 Akashi Kaikyo Bridge 1991 1998 Kobe-Awaji, Japan

2 Xihoumen Bridge 1650 2009 Zhoushan, People's Republic

of China

3 Great Belt Bridge 1624 1998 Halsskov-Sprogo, Denmark

4 Yi Sun-Sin Bridge 1535 2012 Gwangyang-Yeosu,

South Korea

5 Runyang Bridge 1490 2005 Jiangsu Province, People's

Republic of China

6 Humber Bridge 1410 1981 Hessle-Kingston, England

7 Jiangyin Bridge 1385 1999 Jiangsu Province, People's

Republic of China

8 Tsing Ma Bridge 1377 1997 Hong Kong

9 Verrazano-Narrows

Bridge

1298 1964 New York City

10 Golden Gate Bridge 1280 1937 San Francisco, CA

12.2 conStruction of SuSpenSion BridgeS

The construction method and procedures are critical and play a very impor-
tant role in the design and analyses of a suspension bridge. The design,
analyses, and construction procedures of a suspension bridge are completely
corelated to each other. Figure 12.5 shows a typical construction process of
a suspension bridge.

12.2.1 construction of pylons and anchorages
and install catwalk system
Pylons and anchorages are critical components of a suspension bridge. In the
longitudinal direction, pylons of a suspension bridge can be designed as rigid
or flexible in terms of resisting horizontal forces from cables on the top of
pylons. Most pylons of long-span suspension bridges are designed as flexible.
This type of pylons is mainly under compression due to dead loads and minor
bending deflection due to live loads. Both steel and concrete are commonly used
on pylons. Concrete pylons may have advantages over steel pylons in terms
of the cost of construction and maintenance. Examples of steel pylons include
the Golden Gate Bridge and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, whereas most suspension
bridges, such as Xihoumen Bridge and Jiangyin Bridge built in People's Republic
of China, have concrete pylons.
During the erection of stiffened girders and after applying superimposed
dead loads on the deck, the cable forces in the main span and side spans are