STRESS RIBBON BRIDGE

PRESENTED BY :
V.R.UMA
1010901038

YSR ENGG COLLEGE OF YOGI VEMANA UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS:
• INTRODUCTION
•  STRESS RIBBON BRIDGE THEORY
•  FORM OF A STRESS RIBBON BRIDGE
•  COMPARISON WITH A SIMPLE SUSPENSION BRIDGE
•  CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
•  STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
•  MODEL TESTS
•  ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION
• STRESS RIBBON BRIDGES AROUND THE GLOBE
•  CONCLUSION
•  REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION:

o A stress ribbon bridge is a tension structure

o It is the structure formed by a very slender

concrete deck in the shape of a catenary

o The suspension cables are embedded in the

deck which forms a catenary arc between
supports
STRESS RIBBON BRIDGE THEORY:
 Stress Ribbon Bridge uses the theory of a
catenary transmitting loads via tension in the
deck to abutments that are anchored to the
ground
 It is introduced by a German engineer Ulrich
Finsterwalder
 The first stress ribbon bridge was
constructed in Switzerland in the 1960s
FORM OF A STRESS RIBBON BRIDGE:

It deals with
 Super structure
 Sub structure
 Ground conditions
 Precast
Super structure : concrete
planks

A stress ribbon bridge

deck consists of precast
concrete planks with
bearing tendons to
support them during
construction

 Prestressing tendons are used, they tension to create

the final designed geometric form
 The prestressing tendons transfer horizontal forces in
to the abutments and then into the ground through
ground anchors
Substructure:
 
The abutments are designed to transfer the horizontal
forces from the deck cables into the ground via ground
anchors
 Ground Conditions:

• Ideal ground condition: rock base

• But rock base strata occurs rarely
• When soil conditions do not permit the use
of anchors, piles can also be used
•We can also use a combination of anchors
and drilled shafts
COMPARISON WITH A SIMPLE
SUSPENSION BRIDGE:

Suspension bridge Stress ribbon bridge

Suspension bridges Stress ribbon bridge

◦ Cables carry the • Deck shares the axial

loads tension forces
◦ Cables are bearing • Cables are embedded
externally
◦ Spans tends sway
• The grade is allowed
and bounce
to be changed
between spans
Construction techniques
Abutments and piers are built first

Bearing cables were stretched from

Abutment to abutment

Bearing tendons are used to support

the structure during construction
bearing cables are tensioned

Precast panels are suspended

Place post tensioning ducts

Cast in place concrete is poured

in joints
 Bearing cables

Bearing tendons deck

pier

Construction Technique
Structural system:
The only disadvantage is exists very large horizontal forces at
the abutments
So the structure is modified by using arches and cables

Stress stiffened by arches ribbon

bridges:
A stress-ribbon supported by an arch increases the
potential application of stress-ribbon structures due to
balancing horizontal forces
 Structural system

Arch used in stress ribbon bridge

a) Any intermediate support has a shape of an arch

b) Stress ribbon has a two span cable supported by

a saddle that is fixed to the end abutments

c) Arch subjected by its self weight, self weight of

stress ribbon and radial forces caused by bearing
tendons

d) Only vertical reactions are existing

Stress ribbon bridges stiffened by
cables

 External bearing cables stiffen the structure

both in the
vertical and horizontal directions
 Horizontal movements caused by live load are
eliminated by stoppers
MODEL TESTS:
To verified the design assumptions and behavior of the
structure under wind loading model tests are conducted

Wind test

Static model-ultimate load

STATIC AND DYNAMIC LOADING TESTS

The test is conducted to measure the deformations of

the superstructure at the time of prestressing and
during loading tests

Prague-Troja Bridge - load test

ADVANTAGES:
 Very economical and aesthetical
 Maintenance free structures.
 Require minimal quantity of materials.
 Erected independently from existing terrain
 Quick and convenient to construct
 Bridge allows for long spans with a minimum
number of piers

APPLICATIONS:
 Tunnel construction
 Hall roof construction
STRESS RIBBON BRIDGES AROUND THE GLOBE

 Fewer than 50 have been built worldwide

At present 20 are in used

 Most of them are constructed in Japan

 Some are in project phase and some are in

demolished
CONCLUSION:

Stress ribbon bridges are a versatile form of bridge slender

decks gives aesthetic impression. Post tensioned concrete
minimizes cracking and assures durability.Joints required
minimizing maintenance and inspections. There is a wide range
of different topographies and soil conditions found and a
number of areas which require aesthetic yet cost effective
pedestrian bridges to be built Stress ribbon bridges could
provide elegant solutions to these challenges.
REFERENCES:

1. Strasky, J (2005) Stress Ribbon and Cable-Supported

Pedestrian Bridges. London:
Thomas Telford

2. Strasky, J (1987) Precast stress ribbon pedestrian bridges

in Czechoslovakia. PCI JOURNAL, May-June 1987

3. Leonardo Fernández Troyano, Bridge Engineering: A

global perspective, Thomas Telford, 2003

4. Puente de la Barra de Maldonado at Structurae. Retrieved

on 2009-12-07

5. Rogue River Pedestrian Bridge at Structurae. Retrieved on

2009-12-07
QUERIES ?