Analysis of Rigid Frame

Concrete Bridges
SECTION IINTRODUCTION

in bridge building during recent years has developed a

new type, the rigid frame concrete bridge, which has demonstrated
its excellent qualities under various conditions and has proved
economical for spans up to 100 feet and longer.

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PROGRESS

The period of uninterrupted construction of rigid frame concrete

bridges in the United States began in 1922 when the first bridges of the
type and appearance illustrated in this booklet were designed by Arthur
G. Hayden, Designing Engineer, Westchester County (N. Y.) Park Com
mission. Mr. Hayden has been the leader in the development of this
Two bridges of similar type but of somewhat different
bridge type.
appearance were designed by C. S. Whitney, Consulting Engineer, Mil
waukee, Wis., and built in 1919. Since then, so many structures of this
type have been built that it seems almost inconceivable that they were
considered a novelty only a few decades ago.

If

the abutments

and the deck of a bridge are cast as a unit, the

structure is generally called

rigid frame

concrete

bridge*

It is generally simpler and more economical to build a concrete bridge

continuous than otherwise.
Another benefit is derived directly from the continuity or rigidity.
The moments are small in the sections near the center of the deck of the
rigid frame bridge compared with the corresponding moments in a simply
supported deck of the same span length. The result is that frame sections
can be reduced and the bridge floor made exceptionally shallow at the
center of the span. The depth of the thinnest section at the middle of
the span can be made as shallow as 1/40 of the span length for 20-ton
This name is also applied
the supporting walls.

to bridges having

two or more continuous

spans rigidly connected

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