Abstract: Strand stayed cables on towers of cable-stayed bridges with saddle deviators exhibit anti-slipping properties due to frictional effects in saddle pipes. This study investigated load transferring mechanisms of frictional and mechanical anchor structures. The influence of permanent and variable actions on the performance of anti-slipping devices of stayed cables was discussed. Calculation models and computational codes were developed, and the Nanchang Chaoyang Bridge was chosen to as a case example to validate the models. Conclusions were:1) the ratio of friction angles of super tension side and anti-slipping side of strand stayed cables in saddle deviators subjected to unbalanced actions is a critical factor when determining anti-slipping measures; 2) mechanical anti-slipping devices can anchor strand stayed cables from the reverse friction in saddle deviators; 3) the response of strand stayed cables in saddle deviators accumulates due to the frictional effect when subjected to variable actions.