Advanced aerostatic stability analysis of suspension bridges

Aerostatic instability of a suspension bridge may suddenly appears when the deformed shape of the structure produces an increase in the value of the three components of displacement-dependent wind loads distributed in the structure. This paper investigates the aerostatic stability of suspension bridges using an advanced nonlinear method based on the concept of limit point instability. Particular attention is devoted to aerostatic stability analysis of symmetrical suspension bridges. A long-span symmetrical suspension bridge (Hu Men Bridge) with a main span of 888 m is chosen for analysis. It is found that the initial configuration (symmetry or asymmetry) may affect the instability configuration of structure. A finite element software for the nonlinear aerostatic stability analysis of cable-supported bridges (NASAB) is presented and discussed. The aerostatic failure mechanism of suspension bridges is also explained by tracing aerostatic instability path.