Damage Model and Bilinear Approximation of Deteriorated wires in Bridge Suspenders

A new damage model and bilinear approximation of deteriorated wires in bridge suspenders are proposed in this paper. Based on the force-displacement envelopes of deteriorated wires obtained from experimental tests, the damage model for single wire is suggested. The model is cumulative and capable of combining the real constitutive relations of wires, strength, stiffness, ultimate strain, corrosion, and loading history. A bilinear approximation of deteriorated wires is then advised where the force-displacement response approximated to a bilinear envelope for simplicity. Furthermore, a damage indicator of suspender is established, taking both of the corrosion distribution and damage indicator of wires into account. The damage indicator is validated and the sensibility of mechanical properties is performed. Finally, according to numerical simulations, a damage classification is suggested for condition assessment of bridge suspenders.