Bridge Engineering: Detailed Notes

Introduction to Bridges

● Definition: Bridges are structures designed to span physical obstacles such as rivers,
valleys, roads, or railways to provide passage over the obstacles.
● Functions:
○ Carrying services like highways, railways, footpaths, or public utilities over
obstacles.
○ Transferring loads from the service to the foundations at ground level.

Classification of Bridges

1. According to Functions:
○ Aqueduct, viaduct, highway, pedestrian, etc.
2. According to Materials of Construction:
○ Reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, steel, composite, timber, etc.
3. According to Form of Superstructure:
○ Slab, beam, truss, arch, suspension, cable-stayed, etc.
4. According to Interspan Relation:
○ Simple, continuous, cantilever.
5. According to Position of Bridge Floor Relative to Superstructure:
○ Deck, through, half-through.
6. According to Method of Construction:
○ Pin-connected, riveted, welded.
7. According to Road Level Relative to Highest Flood Level:
○ High-level, submersible.
8. According to Method of Clearance for Navigation:
○ Movable-bascule, movable-swing, transporter.
9. According to Span:
○ Short, medium, long, right, skew, curved.
10. According to Degree of Redundancy:
○ Determinate, indeterminate.
11. According to Type of Service and Duration of Use:
○ Permanent, temporary, military.

General Span Types and Materials for Construction

● Materials: Steel, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, composite materials, and

timber.
● Span Types:
○ Single span, multi-span, continuous span.

Basic Components of a Bridge

 1. Substructures:
○ Intermediate Supports: Piers and columns subjected to vertical, horizontal, and
bending forces.
○ Piers: Vertical walls (solid or voided) and columns (single or group with
crosshead beam).
○ Abutments: Connect bridge superstructure to embankments, support loads from
superstructure, and resist soil pressure.
○ Wing Walls: Earth retaining structures adjacent to abutments, handling transition
from upper to lower levels.
2. Superstructures:
○ Decks: Provide support to local vertical loads and transmit these to the primary
superstructure.
○ Beams and Girders: Carry loads from the deck and transfer them to the
substructures.
3. Ancillaries:
○ Bearings: Accommodate expansion and contraction due to temperature changes
and reduce friction.
■ Types: Elastomeric pad bearings, laminated bearings, P.T.F.E bearings,
steel roller bearings.
○ Joints: Allow for movement and rotation of bridge elements.
■ Types: Static joints, movement joints, expansion joints.
○ Parapets: Protective fences or walls at the edge of a bridge to prevent vehicles
from crashing over.
■ Materials: Concrete, steel, aluminium.
○ Drainage Systems: Carry surface water away from the deck to prevent build-up
behind abutments.

Bridge Types Based on Load-Carrying Mechanisms

1. Bridges Carrying Loads Mainly in Flexure:

○ Types: Beam/Girder bridges.
○ Characteristics: Transfer loads to bearings and piers, relying on slabs or beams
acting in flexure.
2. Bridges Carrying Loads Mainly as Axial Forces:
○ Types: Arch bridges, suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges.
○ Characteristics: Primary axial forces are compressive in arches and tensile in
suspension and cable-stayed bridges.

Specific Bridge Types

1. Girder/Beam Bridge:
○ Characteristics: Most common, spans 10m to 200m.
○ Advantages: Simple design, effective for medium spans.
○ Disadvantages: Limited aesthetic appeal, not suitable for very long spans.
2. Truss Bridge:
 ○ Characteristics: Skeletal structure, spans 40m to 500m.
○ Advantages: Efficient material use, good for long spans.
○ Disadvantages: Complex construction, maintenance can be challenging.
3. Arch Bridge:
○ Characteristics: Curved structure with fixed ends.
○ Advantages: High resistance to bending, suitable for stone construction.
○ Disadvantages: Requires solid, stable ground, complex construction.
4. Cable-Stayed Bridge:
○ Characteristics: Continuous deck with towers and diagonal cables.
○ Advantages: Economical for spans up to 480m, attractive design.
○ Disadvantages: Requires precise construction techniques, high initial cost.
5. Suspension Bridge:
○ Characteristics: Continuous deck with towers and main cables passing over
saddles.
○ Advantages: Suitable for very long spans, flexible and aesthetically pleasing.
○ Disadvantages: Expensive, complex construction and maintenance.

Site Information and Conceptual Choice Considerations

● Site Information:
○ Survey existing ground level and site details.
○ Soil investigation for safe bearing pressure and settlement prediction.
○ Consideration of mining activities, river board navigation requirements, railway
specifications, and statutory undertakers for service diversions.
● Conceptual Choice Considerations:
○ Clearance requirements, type and magnitude of loading, topography and
geology, erection methods, local construction skills and materials, future
inspection and maintenance, aesthetic and environmental aspects.

Bridge Design and Construction

1. Substructure:
○ Piers and abutments provide support to the superstructure and distribute loads to
the foundations.
○ Consideration of expansion joints to accommodate deck displacements.
2. Superstructure:
○ Includes the deck, beams, girders, and other elements supporting direct loads.
○ Must be designed to handle vertical loads from traffic and other sources.
3. Maintenance and Components Failure:
○ Regular inspection and maintenance to address issues like expansion joint wear,
deck surface degradation, steel component corrosion, concrete deterioration,
bearing functionality, and drainage system effectiveness.
By understanding these detailed aspects of bridge engineering, designers and engineers can
ensure the construction of safe, durable, and efficient bridges that meet the necessary
functional, aesthetic, and environmental requirements.
 Beams/Girders: These are the primary horizontal elements
that span the distance between the supports. Beams can
be made from various materials, including steel, concrete,
or wood. Girders are essentially large beams and are often
made of steel or reinforced concrete.

Piers/Abutments: These vertical structures support the

ends of the beams. Piers are used for longer spans and
are placed at intervals along the bridge, while abutments
are located at the ends of the bridge.

Deck: The deck is the surface of the bridge on which

vehicles and pedestrians travel. It is supported by the
beams and can be made from materials such as concrete,
steel, or wood.

Support Mechanism: The weight of the bridge and its loads

are transferred from the deck to the beams and then to the
piers or abutments. The forces are primarily vertical,
making this a straightforward design.

Material Costs: Costs for materials such as steel, concrete, and finishing materials.
Labor Costs: Wages and salaries for construction workers and engineers.
Equipment Costs: Rental or purchase of heavy machinery such as cranes and concrete mixers.
Design and Consultancy Costs: Fees for engineers, architects, and other consultants involved in the design and planning.
Site Preparation Costs: Costs for site clearance, excavation, and foundation preparation.
Project Management Costs: Costs associated with project management, including documentation and monitoring.
Safety Costs: Purchase of safety equipment and implementation of safety procedures.
Approval and Permit Costs: Fees for obtaining approvals and permits from local authorities.
Utility Connection Costs: Costs for connecting utilities such as electricity and water to the construction site.
Contingency Costs: Estimated costs for any unforeseen events during construction.