Nonlinear analysis methods based on the unstrained element length for determining initial shaping of suspension bridges under dead loads
G.TCUD is proposed by including the unstrained lengths of both the frame element and the cable element as unknown and deriving the extended tangential stiffness matrix of the bridge structure. Also, UELM is newly presented based the conventional Newton iteration method in which the stiffness matrix is symmetric and the unstrained lengths of all the elements are kept constant. Finally the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated through the numerical application for two suspension bridges.
initial shaping suspension bridge unstrained length target configuration under dead loads (tcud) shape-finding elastic catenary cable