Objectives

To gain a comprehensive understanding of bridge loading To develop a critical appreciation and comprehensive understanding of methods of structural Idealisation and analysis of bridge structures. To develop a critical awareness of bridge inspection and assessment.

Lecture-1
Bridge Definition Types of Bridges Bridge Components Aesthetic in Bridge Design

Selection criterion of a Bridge Type

Quiz

What is a Bridge?
Bridge is a structure which covers a gap Generally bridges carry a road or railway across a natural or artificial obstacle such as, a river, canal or another railway or another road Bridge is a structure corresponding to the heaviest responsibility in carrying a free flow of transport and is the most significant component of a transportation system in case of communication over gaps for whatever reason such as aquatic obstacles, valleys and gorges etc.

What is a Bridge?

Bridge is the KEY ELEMENT in a Transportation System

Structures for Transportation

Beauty can be expressed in the structural efficiency, simplicity, and repetition of a bridge.

Millau Viaduct, France

Bridge Components
Substructure Superstructure

Foundation (Pile/Spread footing) Any structure above bearing Wearing surface Pier (Column) Abutment

Bridge Components

Bridge Planning
Traffic Studies Hydro technical Studies Geotechnical Studies Environmental Considerations Alternatives for Bridge Type Economic Feasibility Bridge Selection and Detailed Design

Bridge Span Length

Short span : 6-30m Medium span: 30-100m Long span: >100m

Span>6m Span<6m

Bridge Culvert

Types of Bridges
Material
Usage Span Structural form
Steel Concrete Timber Hybrid Stone/Brick FRP
Pedestrian Highway Railroad Short Medium Long

Slab Girder Truss Arch Suspension Cable-Stayed

Types of Bridges
Material and Fabrication
Materials
Masonry (brick, rock) Timber Reinforced Concrete Prestressed Concrete Iron Steel Composites

Fabrication
Precast (RC, PC) Cast in place (RC, PC) Pre tensioned (PC) Post tensioned (PC) Prefabricated (Steel) Rivet (steel) Bolted (steel, timber)

Highway Bridges

Bristol Bridge, Bristol, UK

Pedestrian Bridges

London Millennium Footbridge, UK

Electric Wharf Footbridge, UK

Railway Bridges

Thames Ditton Railway bridges

The Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland

Types of Bridges
Basic types based on structural form:
Arch Beam Cantilever Truss Cable Stayed Suspension

Types of Bridges
Arch Bridge
Arch bridges are one of the oldest types of bridges and have great natural strength. Instead of pushing straight down, the weight of an arch bridge is carried outward along the curve of the arch to the supports at each end. These supports, called the abutments, carry the load and keep the ends of the bridge from spreading out.

Types of Bridges
Beam/Girder Bridge
The most basic type of bridge Typically consists of a beam simply supported on each side by a support and can be made continuous later

Typically inexpensive to build

Forces

When something pushes down on the beam, the beam bends. Its top edge is pushed together, and its bottom edge is pulled apart.

Types of Bridges
Beam/Girder Bridge
Currently, most of the beam bridges are precast (in case of RC and PC) or prefabricated
Most are simply-supported Some are made continuous on site

Simply supported

Cantilever

Continuous

Types of Bridges
Cantilever Bridge
In a cantilever constructed out directions at the weight on both each other bridge, the roadway is from the pier in two same time so that the sides counterbalance

Notice the larger section at the support to resist the negative moments
Firth of Forth Bridge, Scotland 521m span

Types of Bridges
Truss Bridge
All beams in a truss bridge are straight. Trusses are comprised of many small beams that together can support a large amount of weight and span great distances. Typical Span lengths: 40m-500m

Types of Bridges
Suspension Bridges
Suspension bridge needs to have very strong main cables Cables are anchored at the abutment
London Tower Bridge (1894),UK

Types of Bridges
Cable-stayed Bridge
All the forces are transferred from the deck through the cables to the pylon Roadway deck can be :
(prestressed) Concrete Box Deck Steel Box Deck Steel Truss Deck

Which Type Should I Use?

Consider the following:
Span length
Bridge length Beam spacing

Material available
Site conditions (foundation, height, apace constraints) Speed of construction Aesthetics Cost Access for maintenance

Selection of a Bridge Type by Span Lengths

Aesthetics : What it means?

An ugly bridge, however safe, serviceable and inexpensive, is not a good bridge Long span bridge over a river can be a land mark: thus aesthetics should be an important factor Bridge should blend with the environment Smooth transition between members Determinant of bridges appearance (in order of importance)
Vertical and Horizontal geometry relative to surrounding topography and other structures Superstructure type and shape Pier/abutment placement and shape Color, surface texture, Signing, Lighting & landscaping

Aesthetics : What it means?

The Four Cs of Bridge Aesthetics

Context Comprehensive Cost Constructability

Adapted from Restore Aesthetics as Design Priority by Jeffery Grob

The Four Cs of Bridge Aesthetics

Context All projects from a simple creek bridge to the longest multi span water crossing must first be considered with a view to the context in which it is located.

Comprehensive The designs that work best are those that take aesthetics in to account right from start.

The Four Cs of Bridge Aesthetics

Cost No discussion of design considerations can be conducted realistically without asking How much is it going to cost?. Constructability No discussion of aesthetics is complete without considering constructability.

Qualities of Aesthetic Design

There are not HARD & FAST rules or formulas for aesthetics of bridge design. It finally gets down to the responsibility of each designer on each project to make personal choices that will lead to a more beautiful structure Function Proportion Harmony

Order & Rhythm

Contrast & Texture

Function
For a bridge design to be successful, it must always safely perform its function. For example, a bridge is designed that fulfills every requirements of aesthetic consideration and other requirements such as economy, constructability etc. but is somehow unable to perform the function for which it was designed, then however beautiful it is, it wont be appealing. The very first notion of beauty in a bridge is that it performs its function efficiently and people using it are satisfied.

Proportion
Good proportions are fundamental to achieving an aesthetically pleasing bridge structure It is generally agreed that when a bridge is placed across a relatively shallow valley, the most pleasing appearance occurs when there are an odd number of spans with span lengths that decrease going up to the side of the valley.

The bridge over a deep valley again should have an odd number of spans, but should be of equal length. Slender girders and the tall, tapered piers can add to the aesthetic pleasure
The proportions of parapet, spandrel, arch etc. are very important on such bridges.
Runnymede Bridge, River Thames (1962)

Proportion
Slender girders can be achieved if the superstructure is made continuous. In fact, the superstructure continuity is the most important aesthetic consideration
Byker Viaduct, Tall, slender divided piers, straight haunches and a shallow deck.

Athlone Bypass Bridge, Ireland A shallow deck, straight haunches extended into piers and broad ,shallow cutwaters combine to give a strong and distinctive effect.

Harmony
Harmony between the elements of a bridge:

It depends on the proportions between the span lengths and depth of girders, height and size of piers, and negative spaces and solid masses.
Harmony between the whole structure and its surroundings The scale and size of a bridge structure should be relative to environment.
A9 Dornoch Firth Bridge, Scotland. Constant depth box on simple supports, a low key solution suiting a shallow estuarial crossing.

its

River Camel Viaduct, Wadebridge, Cornwall: Simple constant depth girder viaduct with clean and neat lines.

Order and Rhythm

Developing a rhythm to the bridge is also important. For example, spans should match where possible or at least demonstrate a consistent order. The cumulative effect of all bridge elements including lighting columns, barrier support and pier should be considered.

For example, outer spans of this bridge are not the same dimension and the symmetry of the bridge is affected.

Contrast, Texture & Finishes

All bridges do not have to blend in with their surroundings. when a bridge is built in the middle of the country, it should blend in with the country side, but very often, because of its proportions and dynamism, the bridge stands out and dominates the landscape
For Example: When the deck line is not expressed, the scale looks odd due to paucity of detail. Also the coursing of the stone or brick then follow neither the arch, the deck nor the parapet, so invariably it tends to be horizontal.

G-Mex bridge, Manchester Metrolink. The steel structure contrasts boldly with its surroundings. Avon Bridge, M40,Warwick A lack of much detailing gives wallpaper effect

Engineering Process
Establish requirements

Understand context Design Refinement

Setting design objectives and principles

Implementation Plan Develop design

Analysis of design

Bridge Design Process

Function (To bridge or not? Replace or remove?) Project Scope Who is User? Location/Survey Where is best spot? Many decisions. Project Funding and Scope finalized. Preliminary Design

Plans, Specs, Estimates.

Final Design
Construction