Introduction to Bridge Engineering

Overview
Bridges vs. Buildings
Advances in bridge engineering
learning from failures
Types of bridges and their attributes
Discussion of the Walnut St. bridge

Bridges vs. Buildings

Bridges typically do not have architects
-Structural Engineer is responsible for aesthetics
-Structural system is always exposed (both good and bad)

Bridges vs. Buildings

Bridges are owned by the public
- (+) Can institute changes to bridge engineering
relatively quick (e.g. LRFD)
- (-) Focus is primarily on lowest initial cost,
with aesthetics playing a minor role if any at
all.
- Are minimum cost and aesthetics competing
objectives?

Robert Maillart

Christian Menn

Bridges vs. Buildings

Bridges are exposed to the elements
- Expansion and contraction due to temperature
changes is a major concern
- Durability is a major design consideration
- Routine inspection and maintenance (initial
versus life-cycle cost)

Bridges vs. Buildings

Bridges are subjected to large moving, repetitive
loads (i.e. Trucks)
- Fatigue is of primary concern (accumulated
damage/cracking due to repeat loading)

Bridges vs. Buildings

Bridge failures pose (or were thought to
pose) a smaller threat to human life.
-Earthquake engineering of bridges lags far behind

Learning from Failures

Point Pleasant (Silver) Bridge
Construction was completed in May of 1928
Spanned the Ohio River between Point
Pleasant, WV and Kanauga, OH
Known as the Silver Bridge because it was
painted with aluminum paint
Eyebar suspension bridge (approx. 1750ft)

Description of Structure

http://www.geocities.com/silver_bridge1967

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/aschaeff/silver

Fisher, J. W. (1984) Fatigue and Fracture in Steel Bridges, Case Studies. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY.

Eyebar Chain Joint at C13

Fisher, J. W. (1984) Fatigue and Fracture in Steel Bridges, Case Studies. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY.

Materials
The original timber bridge deck was replaced by a
steel grid filled w/ concrete (approx 3in) in 1941.
The deck replacement resulted in negligible increase in
dead load

Eyebars were constructed of heat treated rolled

carbon 1060 steel bars with forged heads
Eyebars were designed to break in the shank at ultimate
loading

Summary of Collapse
Collapse occurred without warning on December
15, 1967 at approximately 5:00pm
All three suspended sections fell within 60 sec
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse occurred
immediately after loud cracking sounds were
heard coming from the Ohio Span
Temperature at the time of collapse was 30o F
46 persons were killed, 9 persons were injured,
and 37 vehicles fell with the bridge.

Collapse Photos (1)

http://www.geocities.com/silver_bridge1967

Collapse Photos (2)

http://www.geocities.com/silver_bridge1967

What Caused the Collapse ?

Analysis conducted after the collapse
indicated that the static stresses at the time
of collapse were lower than the allowable
stresses.
If the stresses were lower than the allowable
stresses, what caused the collapse?

Cause of Collapse
Stress corrosion / corrosion fatigue initiated cracks
at the inside of the pin hole of eyebar C13N.
Fatigue cracks were not visible to inspectors

Cracks most likely initiated from the forge marks

in the head of the eyebars
Heat treated steel (lower toughness)
Temperature at the time of collapse was 30oF,
which also lowered the toughness of the material

Collapse Overview

Fisher, J. W. (1984) Fatigue and Fracture in Steel Bridges, Case Studies. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY.

Advances
This collapse resulted in
significant amount of attention
in fatigue and fracture
mechanics related to bridges
This research culminated in the
fatigue specifications with the
AASHTO Bridge Specifications

Bridges are now inspected

every two years

Other Collapses Schoharie Br. (1987)

Other Collapses Tacoma-Narrows (1940)

Bridge Types - Suspension

Longest-spanning
bridge type
Cables are the primary
force resisting elements
Forces are primarily
transmitted through
tension
Longest - AkashiKaikyo, 6,527 ft (Japan,
1998)

Bridge Types Cable-Stayed

Cables and (box)
girders are the primary
force resisting elements
Cables resist forces
through tension and
pre-stress the girders
Girders resist forces
through bending
Longest Tatara,
2,848 ft (Japan, 1999)

Bridge Types Steel Arch

Steel Arches are the
primary force resisting
elements
Arches resist forces
through compression
Thrust is a major
consideration
Longest Lupu, 1,760
ft (China, 2003)

Bridge Types Steel Truss

Rods are the primary
force resisting
elements
Forces are resisted
through tension and
compression
Longest Pont de
Quebec, 1,757 ft
(Canada, 1917)

Bridge Types Concrete Arch

Concrete Arches are
the primary force
resisting elements
Arches resist forces
through compression
Longest Wanxian,
1,344 ft (China, 1997)

Bridge Types Prestressed Conc. Girder

Girders are the
primary force resisting
elements
Forces are resisted
through bending
Longest
Stolmasundet, 963 ft
(Norway, 1998)

Bridge Types Steel Girder

Girders are the
primary force
resisting elements
Forces are resisted
through bending
Longest Ponte
Costa e Silva, 960 ft
(Brazil, 1974)

Walnut Street Bridge

Steel Girder Spans

V-Pedestals
Prestressed Concrete Girder Spans

Walnut Street Bridge Discussion

Temperature Expansion
Splice Connections
Simple vs. Continuous Spans

Expansion Bearings

Temperature Effects on Bridges

L

L+Lt
Lt= L(T)
Where,
=coefficient of thermal expansion (in/in/oF)
st=6x10-6 in/in/oF
T=change in temperature (oF)

E.g. Temperature Effects on Bridges

Calculate the require expansion joint capacity
(displacement) for a T =70 oF
300 ft
2
L1=150 ft

L2=300 ft

1 =st L1(T)= (6x10-6 in/in/oF)(150ft)(12in/1ft)(70)

1 =0.76 in
2 =st L2(T)= (6x10-6 in/in/oF)(300ft)(12in/1ft)(70)
2 =1.52 in

E.g. Temperature Effects on Bridges

Calculate the require expansion joint capacity
(displacement) for a T =70 oF
300 ft

L1=150 ft

L2=150 ft

1 =st L1(T)= (6x10-6 in/in/oF)(150ft)(12in/1ft)(70)

1 =0.76 in
2 =st L2(T)= (6x10-6 in/in/oF)(150ft)(12in/1ft)(70)
2 =0.76 in

Splice Connections

Af-sp>Af
Aw-sp>Aw

Splice Connection Locations

Locate splices in
zero moment
regions

Dead Load Moment Diagram

Simple vs. Continuous Spans

wL2/8
L

SIMPLE SPAN
Dead Load Moment Diagram

Simple vs. Continuous Spans

Providing resistance to negative
moment reduces positive
moment

wL2/8

wL2/8
L
CONTINUOUS SPAN
Dead Load Moment Diagram

QUESTIONS?

Questions?