Cables/Seilen - NONL calculations

Good morning,

I have a general question on cable design for a cable-stayed bridge.

Description: the structure is a multi-span extra-dosed bridge (cable-stayed). Thus there are multiples cables elements (SEIL) that should be designed with multiple load combinations.

Problem: as seen on available examples (ase5; ase10), even though the elements are pre-defined both in AQUA and SOFIMSHC as CABLE/SEIL elements, they are still capable to be compressed. Therefore it is necessary to perform a nonlinear calculation to account for real cable effects in case of compression forces, by using functions NONL and/or TH3 on ASE (Seilausfall).

Question: since I am dealing with a high number of cable elements combined with multiple load cases, it seems unrealistic to perform nonlinear calculations for this amount of load combinations and elements without using the module MAXIMA. I would like to ask if there is better approach for this problem and what would be the desing workflow for this structural type. Is it meaningful to follow up with with the nonlinear calculation on big systems or should I previously guarantee no element is compressed by making changes on the structural system?

P.S.: the cables are fully tensioned with self-weight loads, however some specific load combinations with shrinkage, temperature and settlement loads still causes some cables to be compressed.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Lucas

You can perform linear analysis, but you have to ensure that cables are not in compression.

Anyway this is not software related but real bridge thing, but in cable-stayed bridges you cannot allow to detension cable because if force is lower than 15kN/wire wedges are going to fail. If you get compression forces in this kind of bridge somthing is wrong there.