Design and innovative solutions of anchorage systems in long-span cable-stayed bridges

Stay-cable anchorages are essential steel components in long-span cable-stayed bridges (CSBs), responsible for transferring the large tensile forces from the stay cables into the bridge deck and pylons while limiting local stress concentrations. The anchorage configuration plays a decisive role in the structural integrity, serviceability and long-term reliability of the bridge system. This study presents a comprehensive review of anchorage design for long-span CSBs in China. A survey of 263 bridges with main spans of 300 m or longer is conducted to document girder-end and pylon-end anchorage configurations and to identify prevailing design practices. The structural behaviour of representative anchorage systems is examined using finite-element models and parametric sensitivity analyses. Innovative anchorage concepts for super-long-span applications are introduced, including steel box–core concrete composite systems and a new U-shaped anchorage configuration. This review provides insights into the structural behaviour of anchorage systems and establishes practical reference for the optimisation and advancement of anchorage design of long-span CSBs.