Estimation of the Anti-sliding Safety Factor Between the Main Cable and Middle Saddle of Three-Pylon Steel Suspension Bridges

An efficient and accurate method is proposed to estimate the anti-sliding safety factor between the main cable and middle saddle of three-pylon suspension bridges satisfying the prescribed reliability levels. It is developed based on the inverse reliability method. Uncertainties in the maximum static friction coefficient, the center angle of the saddle wound with cables, the cable force at the tight side and the cable force at the loose side are incorporated in the proposed method. The unique characteristic of the proposed method is that it offers a tool for the anti-sliding safety assessment between the main cable and middle saddle of three-pylon suspension bridges when the reliability level is specified as a target to be satisfied by the designer. The efficiency and accuracy of this method concerning a three-pylon suspension bridge are studied and numerical results prove its effectiveness. Finally, the effects of some important parameters on the anti-sliding safety factor between the main cable and middle saddle of three-pylon suspension bridges are also discussed.