Study on The Mechanical and Economic Performance of Super Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridges with UHPC-Girder

This paper introduces the mechanical and economic performance of cable-stayed bridges with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) girders. Based on the determined general layout and structure system, aiming at minimizing material consumption and considering multiple constraints, the parametric analysis and optimization process of the UHPC girder were discussed. Subsequently, full-scale models of a 1,200 m cable-stayed bridge with UHPC girders and those with steel girders were established and analyzed under load combinations to evaluate their static mechanical performance. Additionally, the material consumption estimation equation was established to evaluate the economic performance of cable-stayed bridges. The economic performance of cable-stayed bridges with UHPC-girder scheme and that of steel-girder scheme were investigated and compared by theoretical calculation and finite element modelling. The results indicated that UHPC-girder cable-stayed bridges are highly competitive for super long-span cable-stayed bridges and represent a promising alternative for the design of large-span bridges in the future. This study provides valuable insights into the feasibility and potential of UHPC-girder cable-stayed bridges.