Mechanical Behavior and Performance Degradation of Structural Cables in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Cables are crucial load-bearing components in long-span spatial structures due to their advantageous properties.
• A comprehensive understanding of cable mechanical behavior is vital for structural design and safety assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the physical and mechanical properties of commonly used architectural cables.
• To provide reference data for key performance indicators and examine influencing factors on cable behavior.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of cable properties and mechanical responses.
• Examination of semi-parallel wire strand (SPWS), Galfan-coated steel strand (GSS), and full-locked coil wire rope (LCR).
• Analysis of fundamental characteristics, stress relaxation, creep, high-temperature performance, corrosion, and post-fracture behavior.

Main Results:

• Identified key mechanical parameters: elastic modulus, axial/bending stiffness, and coefficient of thermal expansion.
• Highlighted superior corrosion resistance of LCR and GSS.
• Elucidated stress redistribution and residual capacity after wire rupture.

Conclusions:

• The review offers critical data for architectural cable selection and design.
• Future research directions are proposed to enhance durability and performance in cable-supported structures.