Simulation of cable-stayed bridges using DISCO

Cable-stayed bridges are ideal for spanning natural barriers such as wide rivers, deep valleys or ravines, and for pedestrian bridges crossing wide interstate highways. The modern construction of cable-stayed bridges makes use of segmental balanced cantilever techniques and involves many repetitive cycles of placing the concrete segments and stay cables. Due to this repetition, it provides a fertile area for the application of computer simulation techniques. The paper employs a graphically-based construction simulation system, DISCO (Dynamic Interface for Simulation of Construction Operations), for the modeling and simulation of the construction of the Pasco-Kennewick Intercity Bridge in the state of Washington. The DISCO system provides a graphical environment in which modeling and simulation of construction operations can be conducted in an interactive fashion. The model developed for the bridge construction and the results of the simulation are presented.