Scribd
Upload
13 views1 page

NHTRD

The document discusses various types of superstructure elements used in bridge design, including concrete slab, adjacent prestressed slab, concrete rigid frame, concrete strut frame, and concrete arch. It highlights the advantages and applications of each type, such as rapid construction and suitability for different spans. Additionally, it mentions the challenges faced by concrete box girder bridges, such as corrosion and relaxation of post-tensioning strands.

Uploaded by

Fakhere Alam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views1 page

NHTRD

The document discusses various types of superstructure elements used in bridge design, including concrete slab, adjacent prestressed slab, concrete rigid frame, concrete strut frame, and concrete arch. It highlights the advantages and applications of each type, such as rapid construction and suitability for different spans. Additionally, it mentions the challenges faced by concrete box girder bridges, such as corrosion and relaxation of post-tensioning strands.

Uploaded by

Fakhere Alam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Design of Superstructure Elements

Timber Superstructures SUPERSTRUCTURE TYPES 79


[3.1.3]

post-tensioning relaxes. If tension in the strands is reduced, the concrete will


begin to lose compression causing existing cracks to widen and new cracks
to form. Corrosion of post-tensioning strands is another major problem
concrete box girder bridges are facing. As development of these types of
superstructures has progressed, though, new design codes have begun to
take into account the necessary criteria concerning the corrosion and
relaxation of tendons, shrinkage, and other issues.

3. Concrete Slab. A slab bridge is one in which the structural deck slab
itself represents the superstructure (i.e., there are no supporting primary and
secondary members). Conventionally reinforced concrete slab bridges are
common for short spans up to 40 ft (12 m) in span length.
When longer spans and correspondingly deeper slabs are required,

W
voids in the slab are introduced to decrease the weight of the superstructure. hen longer spans and
Voids can be formed using any one of a variety of materials ranging from correspondingly
cardboard to polystyrene tubes. Most voided slab bridges are post- deeper slabs are required,
tensioned. The slab bridge has the advantage of being able to accommodate
voids in the slab are intro-
skew crossings. The advancement of prestressed concrete superstructure
elements, along with the development of entire modular slab units has made duced to decrease the weight
this type of bridge unattractive to the modern bridge engineer. of the superstructure...Most
voided slab bridges are post-
4. Adjacent Prestressed Slab. Adjacent prestressed concrete slab tensioned.
units can be used for short spans up to 60 ft (18 m). A 3 to 4 inch (75 to
100 mm) concrete overlay with reinforcement is usually cast over the slab

A
units. Slab units are transversely post-tensioned prior to placement of djacent prestressed con-
overlay to form a single bridge deck. The advantage of this type of bridges
crete slab units ... are
is the rapid construction and low costs, which make it very popular for short
span bridges. transversely post-tensioned
prior to placement of overlay
5. Concrete Rigid Frame. A concrete rigid frame, like the steel rigid to form a single bridge deck.
frame, incorporates the superstructure and substructure into a single
integrated unit. A conventional rigid frame has a deck slab integrated with
abutment walls. This type of structure is usually for very short spans. A box
culvert can be considered as a concrete rigid frame structure.

6. Concrete Strut Frame. A strut-frame type has integrated legs or


struts extending from the superstructure at angles. These structures are
useful when underpass width is an important concern and placement of a
substructure element in the middle of the underpass is impossible.

7. Concrete Arch. The different types of arches were discussed in


Section 1.1.2. Since arches convert most loading into compressive forces,
concrete, with its excellent compressive strength, is an ideal material for these
types of structures. Concrete arches can range from short to long span bridges.

3.1.3 Timber Superstructures

While timber structures come nowhere near steel and concrete structures in
terms of number of bridges in use, they still maintain a niche in the highway
bridge arena. The use of glulam (glued laminated) members and the application of

Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com)


Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website.

You might also like