Extended Deflection Theories of Self-anchored Suspension Bridges with Extensible Hangers and Floating Girders

Extended deflection theories for live load analysis of self-anchored suspension bridges (SASB) involving regular or floating types of girders are derived employing both direct equilibrium method and an energy principle. Subsequently, a simplified FE formulation with hanger extensibility is presented to numerically solve the developed theories. To showcase the validity and precision of the present formulations, a typical SASB model is analyzed, with subsequent comparison of analysis outcomes against those derived from the unstrained length method (ULM). In particular, extensible/inextensible effects of hanger cables, boundary conditions of regular/floating girders, and initial camber effects are intensively investigated. Finally, the most suitable deflection theories for live load analysis of both regular and floating SASB are determined.