Quantification of force re-distribution during deck replacement in a cable-stayed bridge

Deck replacement in a cable-stayed bridge poses problems due to the presence of compressive stress acting in the deck components induced from the stay cables. Difficulties associated with the deck replacement in a cable-stayed bridge and the possible solutions to overcome them are discussed in this paper. Major considerations to be made during deck replacement in a cable-stayed bridge are the prevention of distortion when pre-cast deck panels are removed unsymmetrically with respect to the center line of the bridge, additional compressive stress induced in the deck system and upward deflection of the deck due to the temporary reduction in the weight of deck. To circumvent these problems, it is desirable that the length of the portion being replaced is not too long; on the other hand, if a very small stretch is replaced at a time, the time required for deck replacement can be very high. Therefore, in this paper an optimum length for deck replacement is sought.