Abstract The cable-suspended bridges differ from the elastic structures because of the inherent nonlinearity of the suspension cables. The primary focus of the available theories is to investigate the effect of nonlinearities associated with the distributed self-weight of the cable and its finite elastic displacements. The main point of departure of this paper is to study the effect of the configurational nonlinearity of the weightless linear elastic suspension cables undergoing small elastic displacements. Based upon authors’ theory of weightless elasto-flexible planar sagging cables, a new Beam with Elasto-Flexible Support (BEFS) model of the cable-deck interaction is proposed here. Rate-type constitutive equations and third order differential equations of motion are derived for a simple four-node cable-suspended beam structure undergoing small elastic vertical displacements. Static and dynamic analysis of the cable-suspended structures is carried out to reveal their characteristic configurational response. The proposed theory is critically evaluated in the context of existing theories of suspension bridges.

Abstract In this Paper, a theory of single sagging planer weightless elasto-flexible cables is proposed. In reference to the instantaneous natural state, hypoelastic rate- type constitutive equations and third-order nonlinear differential equations of planer motion for massless cables with nodal masses are derived. New concepts like configurational complementary potential and contra-gradient principles are proposed. Typical dynamic response of these elastic cables with different sustained loads, axial rigidity and sag/span ratios is determined. Modal, subharmonic and internal resonances, jump and beat phenomena, etc., a re predicted. A new mode of damping of 'free' vibration of the system perturbed from its equilibrium state is identified. Significance of the proposed theory of weightless sagging elasto-flexible cables is discussed.

A dynamic instability, called parametric resonance, is exhibited by undampedelastic beam-columns when under the action of pulsating axial force. The scope of the existing theory of parametric resonance is restricted to physically linear beam-columns undergoing finite lateral displacements. In this Paper, the dynamic behaviour of physically nonlinear elastic cracked concrete beam-columns under pulsating axial force and constant lateral force is investigated. The constitutive equations derived earlier by Authors in the form of force-displacement relations are employed here to formulate equations of motion of the SDOF cantilever with mass lumped at its free end. The expected phenomenon of parametric resonance is exhibited in the form of regular subharmonic resonance at about the frequency ratio of two. Resonance peaks broaden with increase in pulsating force. Like damping, physical nonlinearity is also predicted to stabilize the dynamic response at resonance frequencies. In some particular statically unstable conditions, the loss of dynamic stability is shown to occur by divergence. Unexpectedly, similar phenomenon of parametric resonance is exhibited by these physically nonlinear beam-columns undergoing even small lateral displacements. The contribution made to the theory of parametric resonance and the potential relevance of the proposed theory to design of concrete beam-columns is discussed.

An axial follower force acting on the free end of a beam-column is known to remain tangential to its elastica at that point. Elastic beam-columns exhibit infinitely high buckling resistance to static compressive follower load. Loss of their dynamic stability is known to occur at critical follower loads, by flutter characterized by vanishing lateral displacement and infinitely high natural frequency. Classical theory deals with physically linear nonconservative beam-columns. Physical nonlinearity exhibited by concrete beam-columns under service loads is caused by the closing and reopening of the extant transverse cracks. In this Paper, analytical expressions for the lateral displacement and lateral stiffness of such concrete beam-columns are derived. Using these expressions, the stability of physically nonlinear elastic flanged concrete beam-columns under the action of a follower compressive axial force and a lateral force is investigated. The significance of the analytical approach and the theoretical predictions is discussed.

An elastic damage model for concrete has been proposed considering damage-induced bimodularity. A scalar damage parameter has been chosen to quantify the damage. Expressions for the material compliance tensor components have been derived from the assumed strain and complementary energy functions stated in terms of the principal stresses and strains. Incremental constitutive equations have been derived incorporating the elastic behavior due to stress increments as well as stiffness degradation. Within the current damage surface, the stiffness of the material with constant damage varies with applied stress variations. During loading beyond the current damage surface, the material experiences stiffness degradation due to increase in extent of damage suffered by it. Using the proposed elastic damage model, the material response has been predicted for different load histories.