PRINCIPLE

Construction of suspension bridges with larges span is possible by using cables, since lightweight cables can take large tensile loads. the bridges with large spans are not exceptional suspension bridges. This concept made it possible to bridge the ravines (valleys), wide rivers and straits without supporting piles (buttress).

The cable is susceptible to bending (hanging) and can take only tensile loads. The cable loaded with a uniformly distributed load serves as model for a suspension bridge.

the curvature of the cable is calculated from the following relation :

FH here is unknown horizontal force in the cable. integrating twice and substituting the boundary conditions, a relation for hanging is obtained. ( ) ( )

The term f is the maximum sag in the middle of the cable and L is the span. The maximum cable tension is found at the edge. It results from the vector addition of the horizontal and vertical forces. The vertical forces is calculated in terms of the slope as follows:

Fv (x) = FH y'(x)
where FH = qL / 8f results in for the maximum cable tension :

Fs max =
for the total load F = qL

Objective :
To determine the behavior of a typical suspension bridge as it would be found in reality.

Apparatus :
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Suspension cable Bridge roadway with centre joint Connecting rods with various lengths Fixed bearing on pulley Weights hanger A set of weights

Figure 1 : Suspension Bridge and Cable

Procedure :
Two fixed bearing were clamped with the pulleys on the vertical sides of the testing frame at distance of 80mm from the top side.

Step 1

Two suspension cables were hang on the pulleys. Step 2

The weight hangers were hooked on them. Step 3

A load of 5N was loaded onto each of the hanger Step 4

Step 5

12 connecting rods were hung according to their lengths in the rings of the suspension cables where the short connecting rods hung in the middle.

Step 6

The bridge roadway was inserted in the connecting rods where crossed ends of the rods sat in the cross groves of the roadway.

Step 7

Three 5N-weights were loaded on the bridge roadway where two at the ends and one in the middle

Weight of 1N were added, step to the hangers at the end of the suspension cables Step 8

Two parts of the bridge roadway aligned horizontally Step 9

Result : Own Weight = 7.55N Loading = 15N Total Loading = 22.75N

DISCUSSION 1. Bridge broadway will be horizontal when the load applied and will balanced that broadways. 2. precaution : a. length of connecting roads. b. same lenght between connecting roads. c. balanced length between load applied. d. weight connecting roads must same weight.

CONCLUSION When load applied to the hanger can caused the bridge broadways not horizontal. To stabilized it, the load of three 5n act as life load is loaded on the bridge broadway, where two are at the ends and one in the middle.

APPENDIX