Abstract: As an inseparable component， the decorative cable of ornamental suspension bridge does not carry loads with the main structure. The main cable and hanger rods should have certain internal force that matches with the main bridge so as to keep their line-shapes. An approach was proposed for such bridge to calculate the blanking length and tensile force of the cable and rods. Firstly， a model for the main cable was built with hanger rods simplified as vertical constraints. Secondly， the tensile force of main cable in each section and the constraining force of rods were calculated. Finally， the blanking length of each member can be obtained. With a project in Xinjiang， a partial FE(finite element) model of main cable is established by the MIDAS/Civil to calculate the theoretical tensile forces and blanking lengths of the cable and rods， and check its dynamic characteristics. The as-built bridge meets all requirements.

Key words: ornamental suspension bridge, decorative structure, main cable, hanger rod, rod tensile force