PLATE GIRDER BRIDGES

Problem #1

The effective span of a through type plate girder two

lane bridge is 30m. The RC slab is 250mm thick
inclusive of wearing coat. The footpaths are provided
on either sides of carriage way. The cross girders are
provided at 3m centres. The stringers are spaced at
2.45 m c/c. The spacing b/w the main girder is 9.8m.
Determine the maximum sections for stringers and
cross girders, if the bridge is to carry IRC class A
standard loading
Given:
Span of the bridge = 30 m
Thickness of RC slab = 250 mm
Spacing of cross girders = 3m
= ( span of stringer)
Spacing of stringer = 2.45 m
Spacing b/w main girder = 9.8 m
Two lane bridge  width of carriage way = 7.5m
Width of foot path
= (9.8-7.5)/2 =1.15 m
Main
girder

Cross
beam
30 m

Stringer
beam

2.45m
3m

1.15m 0.25m
DESIGN OF STRINGERS
Spacing of stringers = 2.45 m
Span of stringers = 3m
DEAD LOAD
Self weight of slab + wearing coat = 25 x 0.25 x2.45m
=15.31 kN/m
Assume self weight of stringer beam as 1 kN/m
Total DL = 15.31 +1 = 16.31 kN/m
BM due to DL = (16.31 x 3 2 )/8 = 18.35 kNm
Factored BM (DL) = 18.35 x 1.5 = 27.525 kNm
SF due to DL = 16.31 x 3/2 = 24.465 kN
Factored SF (DL) = 24.465 x 1.5 = 36.70 kN
Live load
• For the design of the central stringer, the wheel
loads are so placed that the reaction on the stringer
is maximum
Reaction on central stringer

A
Live load
• For the design of the central stringer, the wheel
loads are so placed that the reaction on the stringer
is maximum
Reaction on central stringer
0.15 1.8 1.2 1.8

1.15
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

1.8 1.7 1.8 1.8

0.4

1.15
2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45
Design of Plate Girders
• Dead load
Wt of slab = 25 x 0.25 x 9.8/2
= 30.625 kN/m
Wt of stringer beam
30 m
=[ (0.423 x3x5 )/9.8]/2 3 3 3 3 3
=0.324 kN/m
Wt of cross girder
= [1.94 x 11x 9.8/2]/30
=3.48 kN/m
Assume self weight of plate girder =0.2L +1 = 7 kN/m

9.8 m
Total load =
Factored load =
BM due to DL =
SF due to DL=
Live load
• Reaction Factor
for the design of maximum section of the plate
girder, loads are so placed that the reaction on one
plate girder is maximum
RE= ?
1.8 1.7 1.8 2.95
0.4

1.15
9.8

E F
BM due to LL
Maximum BM occurs under the wheel load if the
wheel load is placed in such a way that the centre of
span is b/w CG of load system and max wheel load
under consideration
y
57 57 34 34 34 34
13.5 13.5

1.1 3.2 1.2 4.3 3 3 3

18.8

Let y be the distance of CG of train of training from

the first load
y= ?
 C.G of
1.795 1.795 loading

57 57 34 34 34 34
13.5 13.5 3.495
7.705

1.1 3.2 1.2 4.3 3 3 3

15
30

Y7
y1 Y6
y2 y3 Y5
Y4
Y

Y = W ab/L =?
Find y1 , y2, y3……. Y7
Find BM
IF
BM including IF and RF
Total BM
 SF due to LL
• The absolute max. SF occurs for the position of loading
as shown in fig. (keeping the heaviest load as close to
the support as possible; considering the load
dispersion)

57 57 34 34 34 34
1.2 4.3 3 3 3

=0.75/2=0.375
SF at nearer support = ?
SF including IF & RF = ?
Total SF
Design the plate girder
• Section selection
• Web plate
• Flange plate
• Classification of flange
• Check for bending strength
• Check for shear strength
THROUGH TYPE
RAILWAY BRIDGE
Problem 5.2
Design a through type plate railway bridge for single
track B G mainline loading for the following data:
Effective span = 24 m
Spacing of main girder = 5m c/c
Spacing of cross girder = 3m c/c
Spacing of stringer= 2m c/c
Sleeper and their spacing : 250 mm x150 mmx 2.8 m
@ 0.4m c/c
Density of timber = 7.4 kN/m3
Weight of stock rail – 440 N/m
Weight of guard rail – 260 N/m
Weight of fastening – 280 N/m
 2m

5m

No. of cross girders =

24/3 +1 = 9 nos

24 m
3m

1.5 m 2m 1.5 m
Design of stringer beam
 2m

5m

24 m
3m

1.5 m 2m 1.5 m
Design of cross girders
• Loaded length for DL = 2 x spacing of the cross
beams
= 6m
 2m

5m

24 m
3m

1.5 m 2m 1.5 m