Pros of Cable-Stayed Bridges
1. Provides several design options.
Landscapes come in different shades and forms, and it is only a matter of fairness that the bridge type you choose is responsive and alive to this fact. Luckily, the cable-stayed one is suited for that end, and it may conform to various design needs and engineering environments.
If it so happens that the parts have to be upgraded, the cable-stayed bridges will not disappoint yet again. Their structures are easier to detach and fix compared to their ordinary counterparts at the moment. On the strength of this, the bridges are pretty convenient, all factors considered.
2. Fairly well-balanced.
The very structure of this kind of bridge is such that there is an equal number of cables on either side. This arrangement allows the bridge to maintain a fair balance of tautness. Hardly hence is the item able to sway back and forth uncontrollably or sustain some permanent damages.
In structuring this bridge, it is designed to be symmetrical, i.e., reasonably well-balanced in shape and overall structure. Through this arrangement, the bridge is less likely to sway or tip over excessively, as is the case with many other alternatives that exist at the moment.
3. Inter-connectable.
Even though each cable-stayed standard length is medium, they are inter-connectable to create one long monolithic structure. This offsets the disadvantages that come along with the limited lengths it possesses. With this, it is also possible for the developers to connect to a larger area.
Most bridges are firm and rigid because their dimensions may never be altered upon construction. However, this is not like that. Instead, it gives you the freedom to alter the dimensions appropriately, and it gives users the power to do as they wish without limitations.
4. Cheaper to construct.
Its construction cost is relatively cheap to come by, and it does not entail using those expensive parts and materials. This notwithstanding, it does exude some incredible strength and structural reliability when deployed. Thus, it yields forth many benefits but at a lower cost.
Besides the raw materials, a skilled workforce is also necessary to construct any bridge. Even though those may also be needed in this sense, the skill levels needed for this kind of bridge are somewhat lower. This, of course, translates to comparatively lower costs of operation and construction on the whole.
5. Pretty Strong.
In this kind of bridge, some 2-4 strong columns provide the vehicles and human users’ support to operate atop it smoothly. Also, cables are running on either side to anchor the item firmly. The total of all these leads to a robust and reliable support structure. Also, this bridge adds more rigidity to the surface on the whole.
Over and above being challenging, this bridge is also very stiff because it is firm and rigid. It hardly loses its stature, tone, and structure, even when swayed around by the harshest winds as the ordinary kinds do. Instead, it facilitates the flow of traffic in an exceptionally flawless manner.
6. Time-saving.
As part and parcel of being more straightforward in its scope and design, the item also takes a shorter time to make up. It does not have to go through those long and laborious steps and techniques that ordinary bridges must undergo. Thus, its makeup is, on the whole time-saving.
It is not always that the bridges have to run their full lengths once constructed. In some instances, they could have to be brought down before their maturity expires. The cable-stayed comes with the advantage of being able to dismantle quickly and conveniently. Mainly, they do not require the use of explosives.
7. Convertible.
Suppose the bridge may not be used for everyday tasks or to facilitate vehicles and human traffic from one area to another. In that case, the same may be repurposed for other uses. Thus, it stays relevant even after its core role is no longer tenable.
It can also accept other infrastructural structures and resources like data cables, water pipes, telephone lines, and electricity cables, to name a few! Because of this, the structure can play much more than allow for the smooth flow of human and vehicular traffic from one area to another.
8. Enables exceptional performance.
Overall, this kind of bridge enables exceptional performances, all the while engaging. It neither swivels nor shakes as many others ordinarily do. On the flip side, it stays true to its shape and structure at all engagement times. Thus, it may be looked upon in the long run.
This ‘cable-stayed bridge’ has also been christened “the bridge of the future” in the sense of being the one that future engineers may opt for. The main reason is that the bridge may be easily assembled and dismantled, and its non-permanent stature allows for wholesome reliability.
9. Highly customizable.
Most bridges have a firm, rigid structure that may never be altered. The case is, however, not the same as with this one. Instead, it is highly customizable because it gives engineers and other stakeholders leeway to conform to the surrounding areas’ unique terrains.
When all factors are considered, the bridge fits well with the surrounding environments and other structures at the moment. Because of this, it imposes the minor levels of inconvenience possible as opposed to the many alternatives that exist for your exploration.
10. Resists pressure effectively.
In utilizing a bridge, there is generally bound to be too high pressure. Thankfully, cable bridges are designed to absorb and neutralize this pressure considerably. By this arrangement, the bridge is truly reliable in the long run. On the same note, it hardly breaks apart and injures the users.
11. It Lasts longer.
Due to its excellent structural capability, this bridge lasts much longer than the many options. Because of this, many cities and municipalities tend to prefer it over and above the existing options. Hence, its use is a sure way of minimizing stress and the associated inconveniences that come along as well.
12. More compact.
Considering all factors, this kind of bridge requires fewer materials and more space to make up. It is, as such, more compact in size and stature. Consider it; hence a great one to utilize in areas that are, on the whole, cramped up. The same goes for situations that have a limited resource base.
Some areas tend to have limited spaces. The chief example of this is the crossing channel that requires the need to facilitate water vessels and vehicular and human traffic. Given that this bridge adjusts, it may work well in such a place or area.
13. Suffers minimal deformations.
All structures can only last this long. The cable-stay bridge is by no means exceptional. However, it stands apart from the rest in one regard: it suffers minimal deformations along the way. Instead, it retains its symmetry, shape, and structural makeup even as it ages. That, of course, leads to higher levels of reliability.
14. Proper anchoring.
Any bridge’s success and reliability largely depend on how adequately anchored it is. This cable-stayed happens to be better-structured thanks to the proper anchoring it comes along in, and its cables are anchored in the tower instead of the ends. Consider it; hence safer and better performing.
15. Enhances the beauty and aesthetics of the local community.
Other than the core role of facilitating traffic flow over and across a designated locale, these bridges also play the secondary role of enhancing the beauty and the aesthetics of the local community wherein they are set up. This means they give off more value for money than other cheaper alternatives.
16. Handles higher traffic levels.
Though all bridges are designed to smooth out the traffic flow across a given obstacle, the cable-stayed variants have been known to do a tremendously outstanding job. It is more robust, reasonably balanced, and can let the traffic pass undauntedly, making it more economically viable.
This kind of bridge can tackle much more than the facilitation of the flow of vehicular traffic. Furthermore, it may also be used as pedestrian walkways, cyclist paths, etc. Hence, the use of the item brings many more benefits than that which is budgeted for.
17. Self-balancing (operational).
Each time a bridge is used, it experiences excess stress in that precise portion of the extra weight. Unfortunately, not many kinds of bridges can regulate the balance, and it is only this cable-stayed bridge that is capable of achieving that end. It is hence relatively safe and reliable to make do with.
All bridges, regardless of their types, require some oversight. Though this is the case with the cable, its oversight, and management are limited. Most of the time, the bridge auto-adjusts. Doing that negates the input of human effort throughout the whole of use and is hence reliable.
18. Safer to the soil.
Owing to its possession of comparatively limited parts and components, this kind of bridge is less likely to impose too much weight and strain on the soil upon which it is anchored. Thus, it is safer for the soil and unable to make the soils sink further down. In this sense, it is eco-friendly, all factors considered.
Cons of Cable-Stayed Bridges
1. Shorter maximum length.
Perhaps the most significant downside of this bridge is that it has a short maximum length of around 1,000 meters. Compare this with suspension bridges that have to be no less than 2,000 meters long for a start. This curtails the range of applicability of this kind of bridge for daily use.
2. Limited to short and medium distances alone.
Due to the extensive use of cables, this kind of bridge is only economically viable for short to medium distances alone. It may never be used for longer distances or when the facility is concerned with handling a massive volume of vehicles, and this curtains its profitability considerably.
3. Highly susceptible to corrosion.
The bridge employs a higher number of metallic cables. Because of this, it is highly susceptible to the risk of corrosion. Hence, it is doubtful that the bridge works well in ordinarily hot and humid areas, like the shores of major water bodies.
4. Strenuous to inspect.
From time to time, bridges and other structures have to be inspected for structural soundness and proper performance. These bridges, though profitable, are not easy to inspect, and most of their regions are harder to access, not to mention the cable strands’ slippery nature that holds the bridge in place.
5. Unstable in specific environments.
Its delicate design makes this kind of bridge unstable in specific environments. For instance, it cannot withstand strong waves, winds at higher speeds, and constant rocking. All these combine to make it only suitable for those areas and locales that are stable and well-sheltered.
We have repeatedly stated that this bridge is only restricted to fresh water and shelter areas. That is because it is slightly weaker and more vulnerable to external agents of environmental damage. For this reason, it may not provide the support and the reliability necessary wherever and whenever.
6. Higher fatigue rates.
The fatigue rate’ refers to the pace at which the structures weaken due to stress. Compared to the other kinds of bridges, this one has a higher rate of fatigue. This makes it somewhat unreliable in the long run, especially if the weight of the vehicles running atop it is too high.
For a large part, the cable-stayed bridge is a non-permanent solution as it is not designed to last forever. On the flip side, it is only intended to stay operational for a fixed time. Thus, if the solution to the problem is supposed to be permanent, this is not the kind of bridge to consider working with.
7. Its strength and advantages are limited.
Like any other kind of structure, this one has its potential advantages regarding strength and structural soundness. Nonetheless, its strength advantages are somewhat limited as they mainly apply in the short run, and it hence leaves you to try out other alternatives in the long run.
Yes, a typical cable-stayed bridge can handle and accommodate a heavier amount of weight. Nonetheless, its weight-bearing capacity tends to be more limited than many of its counterparts that be at the moment. Thus, it is not the universal solution you might be looking for.
8. Higher-than-average costs of maintenance.
As stated earlier, the structural soundness of this kind of bridge is weaker. Add this to the higher likelihood of the parts rusting, and you find yourself spending too much to care for and maintain them. It may not be suitable in the circumstances with a shortage of financial resources.
Even though its construction requires relatively less skilled labor, the design, on the other hand, is a very skilled one. It demands extensive use of the computer and the associated pieces of software. Not many municipalities and entities may have this resource base and are left out of the picture.
9. Easier to vandalize.
To vandalize a bridge of this kind, all one has to cut at least one cable, and that is it. The cut cable interferes with the structure’s balance and strength going forward. If and when this happens, the reliability of the item in the future may not be guaranteed.
10. Its strength is not guaranteed in the long run.
A combination of higher vulnerability to corrosion, relative ease of vandalism, and the inability to stand out to quakes make the bridge’s strength unguaranteed in the long run. Any entity with the long-term in mind may have to rethink its use or, better still, go for other alternatives.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable-stayed_bridge
https://newgdbridge.com/gerald-desmond-bridge-replacement-project-continues/
https://www.constrofacilitator.com/cable-stayed-bridge-advantages-types-and-design/
http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/cable-stayed-bridges/
