Sliced numerical model for lateral interaction of cable-saddle system considering sufficient wire-discretization

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research 2024-08, Vol.219, p.108761, Article 108761
• Main Authors: Wang, Lu, Tan, Zhengjun, Bai, Lunhua, Zhou, Ningjie, Shen, Ruili, Gu, Song, Zou, Xuwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-slip safety; Cable-saddle system; Lateral force; Model experiment; Multi-tower suspension bridge; Numerical model
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2024.108761

Due to the inadequate understanding of the lateral interaction in cable-saddle system especially from the perspective of sufficient wire-discretization, challenges in anti-slip design and evaluation persist, particularly affecting the development of multi-tower suspension bridges. This study proposes a numerical model for the cable-saddle system that can consider sufficient discretized steel wires through slicing. Large-scale model experiment and numerical modeling are performed, revealing the distribution and transmission of contact forces within the system. Key finds include the escalation of lateral pressure with depth, sharply decreasing at the bottom, and the absence of obvious contact between wires at the same layer. Subsequent parametric study using the sliced numerical model showcases that the model enables efficient parameterized modeling and in-depth analysis of the cable-saddle system; wire arrangement with higher aspect ratio yields higher lateral force, with lateral pressure tending towards a logarithmic distribution; and increasing the friction coefficient reduces lateral force, while using thinner wires increases it. Finally, a case study on a typical multi-tower suspension bridge demonstrates that incorporating vertical plates significantly enhances the anti-slip contribution of lateral force, presenting a promising solution to tackle anti-slip challenges; the existing lateral force formula overestimates the anti-slip safety, while the traditional mode neglecting lateral friction underestimates it, especially in presence of vertical plates, indicating limitations in their application. This study provides a valuable reference for the anti-slip design and evaluation of cable-saddle system in multi-tower suspension bridges through a rigorous numerical method. •Development of a sliced numerical model for the cable-saddle system that considers sufficient discretized steel wires.•Validation of the proposed model against the first large-scale direct model experiment.•Revelation of the lateral mechanical behavior and key parameters of the cable-saddle system.•Exploration of the normal forces and frictional mechanism within the cable-saddle system in presence of vertical plates.•Clarification of the applicability of four potential anti-slip evaluation modes.