PUENTE DE LA UNIDAD

Monterrey, Mexico

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Project Description

CABLE STAYED BRIDGE

Overview
The signature structure of Puente de la Unidad project is a 304m (997ft) long asymmetrical cable-
stayed bridge, with a main clear span of 185.6m (609ft). The main pylon is inclined 30 to the vertical
and reaches a total height of 152.1m (499ft) from the top of foundation. Nearly all the main structural
components are made of 50MPa (7.25ksi) strength concrete. Thirteen pairs of harped stay cables support
the main span and are anchored on the outside of the roadway. One pair of vertical stays is anchored
into the back of the pylon. Main span carries 2 lanes of traffic in each direction with pedestrian walkway
provided in middle. Pictures of the bridge are shown below.

International Bridge Technologies (IBT) was the lead designer for the bridge. The specific design
tasks included:
Main Span: Conceptual, Preliminary, and Final Design
Stay-Cables: Conceptual, Preliminary, and Final Design
Construction Methods: Conceptual, Preliminary, Final Design, and on-site support
Pylon: Conceptual, Preliminary, and Oversight of Final Design
Foundation: Conceptual, Preliminary, and Oversight of Final Design

The design of the bridge included detailed, 3-D FEM, non-linear, and time-dependent analysis.
In addition, detailed studies were performed to ensure compatibility of the extensive network of
post-tensioning tendons and non-orthogonal reinforcement.

Sistemas Optimos Constructivos S.A. (SOCSA) served as the prime consultant for the full viaduct
project. SOCSA performed preliminary analysis and final design for the pylon and foundation.
West Wind Inc. provided wind studies and cable damping requirements.

2009 Copyright International Bridge Technologies, Inc.

 PUENTE DE LA UNIDAD
INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Original or Innovative Applications
of New or Existing Techniques:
The fundamental behavior of a cable-stayed structure
is well understood. Typically the bridges are
symmetric by span and pier layout, and the balancing
of forces is accounted for in the basic concept. In
the case of this bridge, the asymmetry required the
design to go back to a more basic level to ensure
the structural load paths were well-established and
adequate capacities provided. Because the main span
is reliant on the counter-
balance of the pylon, a
delicate balance exists. The
structural capacity of the
pylon must be considered
in parallel with the ballast it
provides, and these two goalss
did not always work in the
same direction. The Puente
de la Unidad project is a good
d example of an existing
bridge concept (cable-stay) used in an alternate way
to provide a striking visual appearance, and achieve
the goal of providing a single support outside of the
main riverbed.
Future Value to the Engineering Profes-
sion: As indicated above, this project presents a
good example how a complex project can be solved
by understanding the basic behavior and providing
reliable load paths. The value of dedicating time
at the conceptual phase is reflected in this project.
Three locations on the bridge illustrate this. The first
is the transition from the force in the edge beams to
the pylon, the second is the resolution of axial loads
between the pylon and main span, and third the
specially shaped spread footing to accommodate the
monotonic loads. These solutions are shown on the
following pages.
Monterrey, Mexico
Social and Economic Considerations:
The bridge project includes a long viaduct to provide
congestion relief to the crowded streets of Monterrey.
Also, the Santa Catarina riverbed can crest at a level
where most other adjacent bridges are under water.
This bridge will provide a critical escape route for
the citizens on the South side of the river. In addi-
tion to these benefits, the design was performed with
consideration of local materials and construction skill
level. The bridge details were all considered in such
a away
a to promote ease of
construction.
co
Complexity: The Puente
de la Unidad project pre-
sented many challenges due
se
to its complexity. Typically
the roadway geometry is
th
adjusted to accommodate
ad
the bridge, but the opposite
th
was done for this project.
project The
T complexities included
large openings in the pylon at grade to allow traf-
fic flow, the introduction of a vertical curve to the
alignment of the bridge deck, variable cross-fall at the
span along the pylon, and allowing for ramp connec-
tions on either side of the bridge. All challenges were
successfully incorporated into the final design.
Meeting and Exceeding Owner/Client
Needs: The primary achievement for the Puente de
la Unidad project was the delivery of a design under
a very tight schedule. The design schedule was 9
months, and the contractor selection was selected in
advance of the final design completion. The bridge
construction was completed in 15 months, a time
frame rarely achieved for this complex of structure.
The bridge was completed for $16.8 million, and was
within 3% of estimated costs.
2009 Copyright International Bridge Technologies, Inc.
 PUENTE DE LA UNIDAD
Monterrey, Mexico

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

FOUNDATION, PYLON BASE, AND TRANSITION SPAN

Excavation of Foundation Foundation Reinforcement Cage

Starter Bars for Pylon Foundation

F un
Found
dati
dati
tion Post-Tensioning
on P
Pos
ostt-T
Tensiio
Tens ioni
ning
ing
g

Key Features
Soil was injection grouted for added strength.
Foundation was a spread footing and post-
tensioned in primary directions.
Spread footing dimensions were optimized
for the monotonic loading. A trapezoidal
plan area was designed with a wider toe at the
Transition
T
Transi
siti
iti
tion
on S
Spa
Span
p n Fram
pa F
Frame
rame
e
front of the footing.
8000m3 (10500yd3) of concrete used for
foundation. Mass concrete casting procedures
implemented.
Large axial forces at edge beams need to be
transferred to central pylon. Well-defined
load path provided by central and diagonal
beams.

Flow
Flow o
off Forc
F
Forces
orces
es

2009 Copyright International Bridge Technologies, Inc.

 PUENTE DE LA UNIDAD
Monterrey, Mexico

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

MAIN PYLON

Pylon Section Pylon Back Wall Post-Tensioning

Climbing Form Pylon Elevation Completed Pylon

Key Features
Pylon is hollow with a typical width of 5m (16.4ft), which tapers to 15m (49.2ft)
from deck to foundation. The back wall of the pylon is post-tensioned.
Pylon inclination provides significant balance to main span forces.
Pylon and deck forces resolved at one location and distributed to the foundation
by twin legs.
Pedestrian access permitted through pylon.
Pylon and span designed to allow for loss of back stays (i.e. terrorist attack.)

2009 Copyright International Bridge Technologies, Inc.

 PUENTE DE LA UNIDAD
Monterrey, Mexico

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

MAIN SPAN

Main Span Section Main Span Section Construction

Pre-cast Panel Placement Completed Bridge, Stay Anchors

Key Features
Main Span cast in 12m (39.3ft) sections.
Edge beams and steel beams cast in place,
followed by pre-cast panels with CIP stitch.
In place of standard cantilever construction,
a moving casting table was used. The table
would launch to cast each segment and
be supported on the river bed. The bridge
geometry was evaluated on a real-time
basis and adjusted for each new casting.
New in-line stay damper used to suppress
cable vibrations. Completed Bridge, Elevation

2009 Copyright International Bridge Technologies, Inc.