Monte Carlo simulation of cable fatigue stresses in two cable-stayed bridges

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tabatabai, H. | Lee, C.-W.

Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: ht@uwm.edu

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulation studies were performed to determine fatigue stress distributions due to truck traffic in all stay cables of two existing cable-stayed bridges. One bridge had two planes of stay cables with concrete edge girders, and the other had one plane of stay cables with a concrete box superstructure. Influence lines from the finite element analyses of these bridges were used to perform the simulations. Existing truck weight distribution models were used. The frequency of truck passage was varied to assess its influence on fatigue stresses. The results of this study are presented, and the responses of the two bridges are compared.

Keywords: Fatigue, Cable-stayed bridges, Stay cables, Monte Carlo simulation, Truck loading

DOI: 10.1080/15732480600855784

Journal: Bridge Structures, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 147-153, 2006