High-Strength Prefabricated Parallel Wire Strand for Ulsan Harbor Bridge and its Mass Production System in Korea

• Published in: Structural engineering international : journal of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 293 - 297
• Main Authors: Yoo, Hoon, Seo, Ju-Won, Lee, Sung-Hyung, Park, Young-Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.05.2014
• Subjects: cable acceptance test; high-strength cable; mass production system; prefabricated parallel wire strand; suspension bridge; Ulsan Harbor Bridge
• ISSN: 1016-8664; 1683-0350
• DOI: 10.2749/101686614X13830790993203

This research discusses recent developments and applications of a high-strength prefabricated parallel wire strand (PPWS) with a tensile strength of 1960 MPa. The cost efficiency of high-strength PPWS cables is briefly reviewed. Performance requirements of the newly developed wire and PPWS cable are proposed by referring to the existing specifications and building codes. Acceptance tests were performed on wire and PPWS cable specimens. The results confirmed that the PPWS cables have sufficient strength to be used as the main cables of the Ulsan Harbor Bridge, a long-span suspension bridge currently under construction in Korea. A mass production system for the PPWS cable, recently implemented in Korea, is outlined by describing notable aspects of the equipment and manufacturing process. We believe that the high-strength PPWS, combined with the efficient mass production system described in this study can provide a more economical solution for the aspects concerning the main cables of long-span suspension bridges.