Analysis and Design of Steel Skywalk Bridge

Abstract

Bridge, a Civil Engineering structure, used since ancient times for crossing any obstruction beneath it. From the past decades, bridges are constructed using different kinds of materials starting from wood to structural steel, which is now has become a large field of study at this period of time. Among different types of skywalk bridges fall under the special category, since it has to be specially designed both in architectural and structural point of view and are commonly used in hill stations and rocky areas as an attraction for visitors. Skywalks have the best features of a cantilever and allow to view both sides. In this present work, an innovative steel skywalk bridge is planned to construct by choosing a suitable viewpoint on Chamundi Hills, Mysuru based on the topography, slope, and its stability. Preliminary reconnaissance survey has been carried out. The objective of the present work is to find the framing system to support the cantilever skywalk at one location and also to find the optimum span and dimension of structural members. Skywalk for various cantilever projection is modeled in ETABS, and checked for criticality such as increase in deflection and moments’ overall stability. For the three cases, key results such as cantilever deflection, bending moments in beams and axial forces in critical columns and bracings and finally, sway due to earthquake are presented. The case 3 is found to be efficient framing system, since cantilever moment is reduced to 82 kN m, and also side sway.