AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

2. Bridge Type and Selection 6. Length of Bridge (Span)

2.1. Bridge Classification  Culvert L ≤ 6m
 Small Span Bridge 7m ≤ L ≤ 15m
 Medium Span Bridge 16m ≤ L ≤ 50m
In this chapter, different types of super structures are introduced and
 Large Span Bridge 50 ≤ L ≤ 150m
their structural behavior, suitability, relative advantages, and
 Extra Large Span Bridge L ≥ 150m
disadvantages are discussed. Bridge structure can be classified in to the
7. Position of Carriageway
followings based on:-
 Deck Type Bridge
1. Traffic Type (Functionality)
 Through Type Bridge
 Road Bridge
 Half Through Type Bridge
 Railway Bridge
8. Different Between Road Level and High Water Level
 Pedestrian Bridge
 High Level Bridge
 Aqueduct
 Submersible Bridge
 Viaduct
9. Based on Construction Materials
 Equipment Bridge
 Timber Bridge
2. Life Span
 Masonry Bridge
 Temporary Bridge
 Reinforced Concrete Bridge
 Permanent Bridge
 Pre-Stressed Bridge
 Semi-Permanent Bridge
 Steel Bridge
3. Alignment of Bridge Superstructure
10. Form or Type of Superstructure
 Straight Bridge
 Slab Bridge
 Skew Bridge
 Girder Bridge
 Curved Bridge
 Box Girder
4. Inter Span Relationship
 Truss Bridge
 Simple Span Bridge
 Arch Bridge
 Continuous Bridge
 Cable Stayed Bridge
 Balanced Cantilever Bridge
 Suspension Bridge
5. Degree of Redundancy
 Plate Girder Bridge
 Determinate Bridge
 Portal Frame Bridge
 Indeterminate Bridge

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 1

 AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

Bridge Classification by Structural Form T – Girder Bridge: It is usually used for a single span bridge
spanning between 12-20m. The design depth of a normal girder
From an engineering perspective, bridges are classified by their bridge may vary between 7-10% of the span length depending on
structural form. Only certain types of structural forms are suitable and the number of beams.
economically viable alternatives for certain span ranges. Structural form
refers to the load resisting mechanism of a bridge by which it transfers Steel Girder Bridge: Are most favorable over deep or muddy waters
gravity and lateral loads from the deck to the foundation. Different types since scaffolding from the ground is not necessary. The scaffolding
of bridge loads follow different path as they are applied on the deck and is braced from the bottom flanges of the steel beams. Cost
to the bearing and finally to the foundation soil beneath superstructure. competitiveness versus a concrete bridge depends almost solely on
the steel price compared to the concrete price, but also on the
1. Slab Bridge availability of competent welders, sizes of workshops and similar.

The simplest type of bridge to construct and design and is perhaps the Box Girder Bridge: Are used for span length of between 30-90m,
most common bridge. It requires less labor and form work and especially if a slender structure is desired or for curved bridges with
economical for length up to 12m. Normally the slab is made with a small horizontal curves where a great resistance to torsion is
uniform depth over the whole bridge and the required depth is usually required with no loss of strength is bending and shear.
5.5 – 6% of the span length. Slab bridges carry loads primarily in
flexural bending and sometimes in shear action. 3. Truss Bridge

2. Girder Bridge In truss bridges, the floor slab, which carries the live load, is
supported by the floor system of stringers and cross beams. The
Girder bridges are structurally simple and common. They consist of a load is transmitted to the main trusses at nodal connections, are on
floor slab, girders and the bearings, which support and transmit gravity each side of the bridge, through the floor system and finally to the
loads to the substructure. Girders resist loads by bending and shear bearings. Lateral braces, which also are truss frame, are attached to
action and, are used for spans between 12m to 90m. Girders are the upper and lower chords to resist horizontal forces such as wind
classified into T-Girder (cast-in situ), concrete Box-Girder (RC or Pre and earthquake loads as well as torsional moments. The portal
stressed), and steel plate Girder. frame at the entrance provides transition of horizontal forces from
the upper chords to the substructure.

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 2

 AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

Truss bridges can take the form of a deck bridge as well as a through 5. Cable Stayed Bridge
bridge. In this case, the concrete slab is mounted on the upper chords
and the sway bracing is placed between the vertical members of the A Cable stayed bridge hangs the girders form diagonal cables that are
two main trusses to provide lateral stability. A truss is composed of tensioned from the tower. The cables of cable-stayed bridges are
upper and lower chords, joined by diagonal and vertical members. anchored in the girders. The girders are most often supported by
Trusses are an assembly of bars, net plates and this are comparatively movable or fixed hinges. Due to the diagonally tensioned cables,
easier to erect on site and are often remain the choice for long bridges. axial forces and bending moments are imposed on the girder and the
tower. But the bending moment in the end (external) towers should
4. Arch Bridges be eliminated by dead anchor in to the ground. For long span
bridges, stability under strong wind currents should be carefully
An arch acts like a circular beam restrained not only vertically but also considered in the design.
horizontally at both ends, and thus results, in vertical and horizontal
reactions at the supports. The horizontal reaction causes axial The cable stayed bridge is usually analyzed using linear elastic
compression in addition to bending moments in the arch rib. The frame analysis. The cable is modeled as a bar element with hinged
bending moments caused by the horizontal forces balances those due to ends. Most of the load is transmitted to the substructure through the
gravity loads in the super structure and they are economical in material cables and the tower. But some goes to the girder directly. The
compared with an equivalent straight, simply supported girder or truss. smaller the bending stiffness of the girder, the less the load is taken
Arch bridges may have high fabrication and erection cost. by the girder. As the tower becomes higher, the tension force of the
cable can be reduced. Since the large force is the cable is
The most suitable site for arch bridges is a valley, with the arch concentrated on the girder and tower, stress concentration at these
foundations located on dry rock slopes. For large spans the reactions are connections should be carefully checked using finite element
heavy producing large trust (horizontal component of reactions), analysis. In the preliminary design, the bridge is modeled as a
necessitate deep foundation. When the foundation material is not plane frame. For the details, however, more precise analyses such as
suitable, the thrust can be absorbed by tie rod connecting the two ends of three-dimensional stress analyses may be used.
the arch. Aesthetically, the arch can be the most successful of all bridge
types and it appears as understandable and expressive.

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 3

 AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

6. Suspension Bridge E.g. If the alignment is on a curve, box and slab type bridges are
best options.
Suspension bridges use two main cables suspended between two towers  Subsurface Conditions of the Site: The foundation soils at a
and anchored to blocks at the ends. Stiffening girders are either truss or site will determine whether abutments and piers can be founded
box type and hung from the main cables using hangers. The suspension on spread footings, driven piles and etc. The potential for
bridge is most suitable for long spans. The load on the girder is seismic activity at a site should be a part of the subsurface
transmitted to the towers through the hangers and the main cables, and investigation because this will change details of the substructure.
then to the arch or blocks. It can be seen that anchor blocks are essential E.g. an inclined leg rigid frame bridge requires strong
to take the horizontal reaction force from the cables. The gravity of the foundation.
anchor blocks resists the upward component of the cable tension force  Functional Requirements: Bridge should serve the present and
and the shear force between the anchor blocks, and the foundation resists future traffic. E.g. girder type bridge is best option if future
the horizontal component. widening or replacement of bridge decks is a concern.
 Aesthetics: It is necessary to understand what qualities and
Unlike the cable-stayed bridge, no axial force is induced in the girders of features of a bridge tend to make that aesthetics statement a
a suspension bridge. The sag in the main cable affects the structural good one. This understanding requires training and time.
behavior of the suspension bridge: the smaller the sag, the larger the  When a bridge is placed across a relatively shallow valley,
stiffness of the bridge and thereby large horizontal forces are applied to the most pleasing appearance occurs when there are an odd
anchor blocks. In general the ratio of the sag to the main span is selected number of spans with span lengths that decrease going up
to the about 1:10. It is economical over the span of 600m. the side of the valley.
 Harmony between the whole structure and its surrounding
Selection of Bridge Type needed to be addressed.
 Repeating similar spans too many times can become
In selection of a bridge type, there is no unique answer. For each span monotonous, just as hearing the same music with a heavy
beat that is repeated over and over again can be
length range there is more than one bridge type that will satisfy the
uncomfortable.
design criteria. Generally the following factors should be considered Moreover, contrast and texture, light and shadow are additional
during selection of bridge type for the proposed bridge site/location. aesthetic parameter in bridge design.
 Economics and Ease of Maintenance: In comparison of the
 Geometric Condition of the Site: The type of bridge selected will economics of different bridge types, the construction cost and
often depend on the horizontal and vertical alignment of the highway maintenance cost should be taken together.
route and on the clearances above and below the road way.

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 4

 AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

A general rule is that the bridge with minimum number of spans,

fewest deck joints and widest spacing of girders will be the most
economical. By reducing the number of spans, the construction cost
of one pier is eliminated. Deck joints are a high maintenance cost
item, so minimizing their number will reduce the life cycle cost of the
bridge. Generally, concrete structures require less maintenance than
steel structures.
 Construction and erection considerations: The selection of the
bridge type to be built is often governed by construction and erection
considerations. In general, the larger the prefabricated or precast Box Culvert
member, the shorter the construction time. However, the larger the
members, the more difficult they are to transport and lift into place.
The availability of skilled labor and specified materials will also
influence the choice of a particular bridge type.
 Legal Considerations: Applicable laws like environmental and land
use laws also govern the type of bridge.

Truss Bridge

Girder Bridge

Arch Bridge

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 5

 AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

Cable Stayed Bridge

(Abay River)

Suspension Bridge
Truss Bridge

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 6

AASTU-School of Engineering Civil Engineering Department Fundamentals of Bridge Design

Lecture Note Prepared By: Yohannes Gudeta 7