Renewal Application Research in Design of Suspension Bridge Stiffened by Steel Slab Girder

This paper introduces application research in the design of a suspension bridge stiffened with a steel slab girder, with special reference to the Hongguang Bridge in Liuzhou. This bridge is a renewed application of this type of structure after the collapse of old Tacoma Bridge. The bridge is a suspension bridge with the main span of 380 m stiffened by an orthotropic steel slab. The width of the stiffening girder is 27, 8 m and the height is 2, 2 m. The center spacing is 22, 8 m between two longitudinal side beams and 2, 75 m between adjacent diaphragms. Correspondingly the transversal distance between the anchorage points of the hangers is 22, 8 m and the longitudinal panel length is 8, 25 m. In order to ensure the safety and wind-resistance of the bridge, some of the results of the research on wind-resistance, conducted on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge were used in the design. At the same time, detailed theoretical analysis and wind tunnel tests were carried out. As a result, longitudinal dampers, middle buckles and wind guide skirts are adopted to improve the dynamic behaviour of the structure.