Global and seismic analysis of Chacao Bridge

Abstract

<p>The Chacao Bridge is an asymmetric two-main-span suspension bridge crossing the 2.5 kilometer wide Chacao Channel in Southern Chile.</p><p>The bridge has main spans of 1155 m and 1055 m and a total length of 2754 m. The three concrete pylons have different heights and the Central Pylon (inverted Y-shape) is tuned to balance uneven forces in the two main spans.</p><p>The bridge site has especially harsh environmental conditions with strong winds, strong currents, and most notably, high seismicity, adding challenges to the bridge design.</p><p>In the process of detail design, a comprehensive set of global analyses have been conducted. This paper identifies some of the different sets of analyses and special challenges faced in the analysis procedures.</p>