BRIDGE

Engineering
ENGR. LEMUEL JASPER S. BADAJOS
 Introduction of Bridge

WHAT IS A BRIDGE?
 is a structure which is built over some
physical obstacle such as a body of
water, valley, or road, and its purpose is
to provide crossing over that obstacle.
 Introduction of Bridge

WHAT IS A BRIDGE?
 is
a structure which maintains the
communication over a physical obstacle, e.g.
A channel/river
 A road,
 A railway line or
 A valley
 Bridge Designations:

Fly-over/
VIADUCT Over-Bridge Bridge
 Bridge Designations:

 If it carries road traffic or railway traffic or a

pipe line over a channel or a valley:
Bridge

 If it carries the traffic or pipe over a

communication system like roads or railways:
Fly-over/Over-Bridge

 Bridge (several small spans) constructed over

a busy locality, a valley, dry or wetland, or
forming a flyover to carry the vehicular traffic:
Viaduct
HISTORY OF BRIDGE:

 History of bridges begins with a tree log accidentally

fallen across water courses.
 Natural rock arches formed due to erosion beneath.
(Arch Bridge)
 Climbers suspended above a deep gorge. Hanging
creepers from one tree (Banyan trees) to other, by tying
a bunch of long creepers with the trees situated on
either side of water course
COMPONENTS OF A BRIDGE

Superstructure of a bridge is the part that receives

the load.

Substructure is the part that supports the

superstructure and transfers the load to the ground
 COMPONENTS OF A BRIDGE

1. 2.
Superstructure Substructure
3.
BRIDGE DECK 4. PIER
GUARDRAIL / 5.
ABUTMENT
SAFETY WALL 6.
GIRDERS PILES
HEADER SPREAD
FOOTER
7. 8.
Classification of Bridges:

 Bridges
are mainly classified according to:
A. Materials used in their construction
B. Various structural forms
C. Construction and function
A. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO MATERIAL

TIMBER
MASONARY
CONCRETE (R.C.C or Pre-stressed)
 STEEL
B: According to
various
structural forms
 SLAB
(0-12m)
 BEAM
(10-30m)
 CANTILEVER/Balan
ced Cantilever
(30-500m)
 Box-Girder
(18-30m; 60-70m
with Pre- stressing)
(Cellular/Multi-celled
Bridges)
B: According to
various
structural forms

 TRUSS
35- 300m
 ARCH
20-500m
 CABLE STAYED
90-350m
 SUSPENSION
300-2000m
Distinctive Features of Slab Bridges

 Usually used for Short spans

 Carry loads in Shear and Flexural
bending
 Have sufficient torsional stiffness
 Bearings are not required
 Simple Shattering/formwork is
required
 Becomes heavy (increase in D.L) for
large spans. Hollow slabs are
sometimes provided for medium
spans.
Distinctive Features of
Beam/Girder Bridges

 Oldest and most

common bridge type
known
 Usually used for Short
and Medium spans
 Carry loads in Shear
and Flexural bending
 In modern girder
bridges, steel I-Beams
replace Concrete
Beams
 Low torsional stiffness
Distinctive Features of Box Girder Bridges

 In addition to flexural stiffness

and shear resistance, these
bridges have sufficient torsional
stiffness
 Most suitable for curved plan
and longer span bridges
Distinctive Features of Truss Bridge

 The primary member forces are axial loads

 The open web system permits the use of a greater
overall depth than for an equivalent solid web girder,
hence reduced deflections and rigid structure.
 Both these factors lead to economy in material and a
reduced dead weight. The increased depth also leads to
reduced deflections, that is, a more rigid structure.
 Distinctive Features of Truss Bridge

 Highmaintenance and fabrication costs.

 Aesthetic appearance is debatable mainly
because of complexity of elevation.
 Used economically in the span range of up to
300m.
Distinctive Features of Cantilever Bridge

 Distinctive Features of Cantilever Bridge

 Cantilever bridges can be of steel or concrete
 In a cantilever bridge, the roadway is constructed out
from the pier in two directions at the same time so that
the weight on both sides counterbalance each other
 Notice the larger section at the support to resist negative
moments
 Distinctive Features of Arch Bridge

 Arch action reduces bending moments

 Economical as compared to equivalent straight simply supported
Girder or Truss bridge
 Suitable; when site is a deep gorge with steep rocky banks.
 Conventional curved arch rib has high Fabrication and Erection
costs.
 Unlike girders, can be built from stones
 Considered the most beautiful of bridge types
 Used in the span range of up to 250m.
Distinctive Features of Suspension Bridge

 The deck is hung from the

cable by Hangers constructed
of high strength ropes in tension
 Cables are anchored at the
abutment, hence abutment
has to be massive
 The main cable is stiffened
either by a pair of stiffening
trusses or by a system of girders
at the deck level.
 This stiffening system serves to
control the aerodynamic
movements.
Distinctive Features of Suspension Bridge

 Suspension bridge needs to have very strong main cables

 The complete structure can be erected without intermediate
staging from the ground
 It is the only alternative for spans over 600m, and it is generally
regarded as competitive for spans down to 3000m.
 The height of the main towers can be a disadvantage in some
areas; for example, within the approach road for an airport.
Distinctive Features of Cable-Stayed Bridge

 Cable-stayed bridge uses the pre-stressing principles

but the pre-stressing tendons are exposed/outside of
the beam
 All the forces are transferred from the deck through the
cables to the tower/pylon
 Roadway deck can be:
– (Prestressed) Concrete Box Deck
– Steel Box Deck
– Steel Truss Deck
 Distinctive Features of Cable-Stayed Bridge

 As compared with the stiffened suspension bridge, the cables are

straight rather than curved. As a result, the stiffness is greater
 The cables are anchored to the deck and cause compressive forces in
the deck.
 All individual cables are shorter than full length of the superstructure.
They are normally constructed of individual wire ropes, supplied
complete with end fittings, pre-stretched and not spun.
 Aerodynamic stability has not been found to be a problem in
structures to date.
 It is economical over 200-500m.
 C. Construction and other function

C-1): According to inter-span relations:

➢ Simple: Independent spans; large B.M and S.F
➢ Continuous: Design moments are reduced; foundation
supported on good rock or differential settlement of
supports is eliminated.
➢ Cantilever/Balanced bridges: Slight differential settlements
under the pier or abutment are not detrimental.
C. Construction and other function

C-3): Method of connections

– Pin jointed
– Riveted or
– Welded
C. Construction
and other
function

C-4): According to road

level
• High level or
• Submersible
C. Construction
and other
function

C-5): According to the

method of clearance for
navigation
• High level
• Movable-bascule
• Movable swing or
transporter bridge
C. Construction and other function

C-6): According to duration of use and service

• Permanent
• temporary /Military (Bailey)
 C. Construction and other function

C-7): According
to function
• Aqueduct
• Viaduct
• Pedestrian
• Highway
• Railway or pipe
bridges
C. Construction and other function

C-8): According to span length

• Culvert <= 6m
• Minor/Short span bridge 6m-60m
• Major/Medium span bridge >60m-150m
• Long span bridge >150m
C. Construction and other function

C-9): According to degree of redundancy

• Determinate or
• Indeterminate
SOME FAMOUS BRIDGES
SOME FAMOUS BRIDGES
SOME FAMOUS BRIDGES
SOME FAMOUS BRIDGES
 Bridge Design

Selection of Bridge Type

Consider the followings:
• Span length
• Bridge length
• Beam spacing
• Material available
• Site conditions (foundations, height, space
constraints) Requirement for shipping
channel leads to long span bridge
 Bridge Design

Selection of Bridge Type

Consider the followings:
• Speed of construction
• Constructability
• Technology/Equipment available
• Aesthetics
• Cost
• Access for maintenance
 Bridge Design

Selection of Bridge Type

❖ Cost vs. Span Length
 The span length may be influenced by the cost of
superstructure (cost/meter) and substructure
(cost/pier)
 If the substructure cost is about 25% of total cost
shorter span is more cost-effective
 If the substructure cost is about 50% of total cost
longer spans are more economical