24-Oct-20

Introduction
An efficient design of bridge superstructure is essential to
achieve overall economy in the whole bridge structure in
that the superstructure dead weight may form a significant
portion of the gravity load the bridge must sustain and
5. Superstructure transmit to the foundation.
A light superstructure is economical not only in material
requirements of the superstructure but also requires
smaller size for substructure and foundations.
A clear understanding of the structural behavior of
structural behavior under loads is essential for efficient
design.

Reinforced concrete bridges:

Advantages over steel bridges.
adaptability of concrete to The disadvantage
wide variety of structural
The following types of bridges are discussed as shapes
follows. Low maintenance cost large dead weight
Long life and better
RC Bridge, Steel Bridge, Arch Bridge, Cable resistance to temporary difficulty to widen
Stayed Bridge and Suspension Bridge overloads and dynamic
loads than steel bridges.
Continuous and monolithic longer construction time
good seismic resistance.
They can also be given the requires formwork and
desired aesthetic false work
appearance.

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Reinforced… Reinforced…
Live load on bridges can occupy random positions both Slab bridge
longitudinally and transversely, and this affects the live
load shared by various beams. This aspect of live load
T-girder bridge
distribution is one of the primary concerns in the Box girder bridge
analysis of bridge decks. Continuous RC bridge
RC rigid frame bridges
Influence lines will be used to determine load
position for maximum effect and the magnitude
of these effects.

The following RC bridges will be discussed.

Slab Bridge:
Slab Bridge may be in the form
Uniform thickness
Voided slab

Slab Bridge normally requires more concrete

and reinforced steel than Girder Bridge of
the same span but the formwork is simpler
and less expenssive, hence they are economical
when these cast factor balance favorably.

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Slab…
Slab…
Slab bridges are most commonly used to span short
spans up to 12 meters. The load carrying Where:
mechanism is by plate action, i.e., by bending and Z is the downward deflection of the plate
twisting due to continuity in all directions. Application q is intensity of uniform load
of a load on the portion make the slab deflect into a D is flexural rigidity of tile plate
dish shape locally, causing a two-dimensional In the absence of closed form solution to the above
system of bending and twisting moments, the equation, approximate methods are developed.
mechanism through which the load is transferred to One method is the method of influence surfaces, which
the adjacent elements of the deck, which are less uses design charts.
severely loaded. Grillage method is also used for analysis and softwares
are available for this.
 ∂4z ∂4z ∂4z  Another method that AASHTO recommends is the
D  2 + 2 2 2 + 4  = q Strip Method.
 ∂x ∂ ∂ y ∂ y

Slab… Slab…
Depth Determination:
AASHTO Recommendations
Where:
Load distributions:The equivalent width of longitudinal strips per E = equivalent width (mm)
lane for both shear and moment with one lane, i.e., two lines of
L1 = modified span length taken ≤ of the
wheels, loaded shall be determined as:
actual span or 18,000 (mm)
E = 250 + 0.42 L1W 1 W1= modified edge-to-edge width of
bridge taken to be ≤ of the actual width or
18,000 mm for multilane loading, or 9,000 mm
The equivalent width, E of longitudinal strips per lane for both for single-lane loading (mm)
shear and moment with more than one lane loaded shall be W = physical edge-to-edge width of bridge
determined as: (mm)
W NL = number of design lanes as specified
E = 2100 + 0 . 12 L 1W 1 ≤
NL

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Slab… Section Analysis

Section analysis: Section analysis:

Rectangular stress block is used for Rectangular stress block is used for
determination of section capacity. determination of section capacity.
equations equations
Limits on maximum and minimum Limits on maximum and minimum
reinforcement requirements reinforcement requirements

Section Analysis Section Analysis

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Section Analysis Section Analysis

Section Analysis T-girder Bridge:

T- Girders are used for bridges spanning from about
10meters-25 meters. These usually consist of equal1y spaced
beams (generally with spacing of 1.8-3.6m) spanning
longitudinally between supports.
The slab is structural1y continuous across the top. The slab
serves dual purpose of supporting the live load on the bridge
and acting as the top flange of the longitudinal beams.
Diaphragms are provided transversely between the beams
over the supports and depending on the span, at midspan and
other intermediate locations. The purpose of providing
diaphragms is to ensure lateral distribution of live loads to
various adjacent stringers, the magnitude of the share of each
stringer depends on the stiffness of the diaphragms relative to
the stringers and on the method of connectivity.

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Grillage Mesh
T-girder …
Design of T- girder bridges consists of deck slab
analysis and design, and the T-girder analysis and
design.
Structural analysis of the deck slab involves
taking a continuous strip perpendicular to
the girders (AASHTO Art.9.6.1) and analyzing
by moment distribution or using design aid
given by AASHTO, ILS for critical position of
loads. Extreme positive moment at any point
will be taken to apply to all positive moment
regions (Art 4.6.2.1.1
Bridge Deck Idealized Model (Deflected)

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T-girder … T-girder …
The width of equivalent interior transverse strip over Depth Determination For shear:
which the wheel loads can be considered distributed
longitudinally in cast - in - place concrete decks is given AASHTO provisions Interior girders
as [Table Art. 4.6.2. I .3-1] Load Distribution Insert Equations
overhang, 11401-0.83lX Factors:
positive moment, 660+0.55S For moment: Exterior girders
negative moment, 1220+0.25S Interior girders Insert Equations
Where X is the distance from the wheel load to Insert Equations Design for flexure:
centerline of support and S is the spacing of' the T-
beams. Insert Equations
In the design of overhang deck slab design forces acting Exterior girders Design for shear:
on the post and railings or barrier should be Insert Equations Insert Equations
considered.

T-girder … Box Girder Bridge:

The lever rule involves summing moments Concrete box girder bridges are economical for spans
of above 25 to 45m. They can be reinforced concrete or
about one support to find the reaction at Prestressed concrete. Longer span than 45m will have
another support by assuming that the to be Prestressed.
They are similar to T-beams in configuration except the
supported component is hinged at interior webs of T-beams are all interconnected by a common
supports. flange resulting in a cellular superstructure.The top slab,
webs and bottom slab are built monolithically to act as
a unit, which means that full shear transfer must be
provided between all parts of the section.
Reinforced concrete box girders have high torsional
resistance due to their closed shape and are particularly
suitable for structures with significant curvature. This
Figure. Model for Applying Lever Rule to construction also lends itself to aesthetic treatment.
Three-Girder Bridges

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Box Girder Bridge: Box Girder Bridge:

Concrete box girder bridges have several advantages over Depth For shear:
other types; Determination:
1. The relatively shallow depth of box girders is all Interior girders
advantage where headroom is limited like in urban AASHTO Insert Equations
overpasses. Recommendations’
Exterior girders
2. Monolithic construction of the superstructure and Load Distribution
substructure offers structural as well as aesthetic Insert Equations
advantage. The pier caps for continuous box girders can Factors:
Design for flexure:
be placed with in the box, facilitating rigid connection to For moment:
the pier. Insert Equations
Interior girders
3. They provide space for utilities such as water and gas Design for shear:
lines, power, telephone and cable ducts, storm drains Insert Equations
and sewers, which can be placed in the hollow cellular Insert Equations
Exterior girders
section.
Insert Equations

Box Girder … Box Girder …

Design Consideration: The bottom slab (soffit) contains reinforcement for the
The structural behavior of box girders is similar to T- positive moment and also acts as a compression flange
beams. Box girders are essentially T-beams with in the negative moment regions of continuous spans.
transverse bottom flange resulting in a closed,
torsionally stiff multi-cell configuration. The bottom slab also affords a superstructure
considerably thinner than a T- beam bridge of the same
The interior webs resist shear and often only a small span and permits even longer spans to be built.
portion of girder moments. Consequently they are The structural analysis is same as for T-beams. Section
usually thinner than the webs of T-beams. This is so analysis is also same except the compression bottom
because, in the case of continuous T-beams, the webs
must resist the negative girder moments as well as all flange for continuous spans. The entire slab width is
the shear, and contain all the reinforcement for positive assumed effective for compression.
moments.

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Box Girder … Box Girder …

Cross-sections are taken as shown in Fig. For adequate field placement and consolidation of
concrete, a minimum web thickness of 200 mm is
below a and b. needed for webs without prestressing ducts; 300 mm is
needed for webs with only longitudinal or vertical ducts;
and 380 mm is needed for webs with both longitudinal
and vertical ducts. For girders over about 2400 mm in
a. Exterior girder b. Interior girder depth, these dimensions should be increased to
compensate for the increased difficulty of concrete
placement.

Box Girder … Continuous RC bridge:

Bottom Flange Advantages Disadvantages
The bottom flange thickness shall be not less than: Less number of bearings Analysis is laborious and time
consuming
140mm; than simply supported
Not suitable on yielding
bridge foundations
the distance between fillets or webs of
Reduced width of pier
Non-Prestressed girders and beams divided by 16 Requires less number of
expansion joints
Top Flange Lesser depth of girder,
This is determined from slab depth requirement. hence economical
supports.
Better architectura1
appearance
Lesser vibration and
deflection

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Steel Bridge:
RC rigid frame bridges:
Steel bridge construction consists of rolled steel
In rigid frame bridges, the deck is rigidly connected to the bridge beams, plate girders or trusses with reinforced
and piers. All the advantages of a continuous span bridge are
present here. concrete deck or steel plate deck-beam bridges
Additional advantages of rigid frame bridges over continuous ones
are
Steel has got several constructed with ease and
More rigidity of the structure advantages.
Less moments in deck being partly transferred to the supporting
this minimizing construction
members It is a high quality costs.
No bearings are required Homogeneous, usually lighter
Better aesthetic appearance than the continuous span structure Isotropic material reduced substructures
As in continuous span bridges, these structures also require It has high tensile and costs
unyielding foundation materials.The analysis is however, more compressive strengths. shallower depth overhead
laborious than the former.
considerable ductility clearance
built faster easy and faster to repair
than RC.

Steel …
Disadvantages Rolled I-beams are used for spans up to
Corrosion of steel is the major drawback 90 feet [27 m].
which requires prohibitively high Welded-plate girders are used for
maintenance cost. spans greater than 90 feet [27
Corrosion can reduce cross section of m]
structural members and weaken the
superstructure also.

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Arch Bridge:
Arches are generally characterized by the development of Arch…
inclined rather than vertical reactions under vertical loads. Parts of arch bridges
Cross-sections are designed for thrust, moment and shear,
with magnitudes depending on the location of the pressure
line as shown in fig.

If the pressure line coincides with the axis of structure, (as in

a uniformly loaded parabolic arch), all cross sections will be
subjected to compression, with no moment or shear. If the
pressure line falls with in the kern, there will not be tension.
But if shape of structure and pressure line differs moment
may become dominant.

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Arch… Arch…
Type of Arch Bridges:
The main parameter of an arch is the rise to Based on location of deck with respect to arch rib
span ratio, r/s (1/6 to 1/10).
From economic point of view it is attempted to
coincide the center of pressure of a given load
with center of line of the arch. Based on structural arrangement
Compared to the girder bridges, arch bridges
are economical because the dead load moments
in arch bridges are almost absent when the arch
is properly design.

Cable Stayed Bridge:

Arch… Cable stayed bridges are ideal for spanning natural barriers of wide rivers,
Masonry arch bridges deep valleys and for vehicular and pedestrian bridges crossing wide
interstate highways because they can provide long spans unobstructed by
piers.
Longitudinal cable arrangement:
Radiating (converging)

Harp

Fan /Modified fan/

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Suspension Bridge: Suspension…

The stiffening trusses arc hinged at the towers
The twin main cables from the tower of a suspension
bridge form a catenary from which the hangers are
and suspended at node points from
suspended and fixed to the deck. suspenders, which are usually high tensile
Suspension bridges are economical when the span cables.
exceeds 300m.
The cables being very flexible do not take any bending Vertical suspenders have been used in many
moment and are subjected only to tensile forces. The bridges but diagonal suspenders have the
stiffening truss stiffens the deck and distributes the live
load of the deck on to the cables. Otherwise the cables advantage of increasing the aerodynamic
would be subjected to local sag due to action of stability.
concentrated live load and thus causes local angle
change in the deck system.

Suspension…

Types
Simple Suspension Bridge

Suspension Bridge

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Suspension… Suspension…
Suspension Bridge with Braced Chain

Suspension Bridge with Stiffening Truss

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