Preliminary Analysis of Suspension Bridges

Abstract

This paper reviews the derivation of the fundamental equations of suspension bridge analysis based on the deflection theory. A method is presented for the practical solution of these equations that can be implemented in commercially available mathematical analysis programs or for simpler cases in spreadsheet programs. The method takes advantage of the analogy between a suspended girder and a beam under tension. A table with analytical solutions to the beam-under-tension problem is presented for load cases applicable to suspension bridge analysis. Previous presentations of this method are expanded to address the effects of pylon stiffness and of continuity of the stiffening girder.