Sample Calculations of Checking Existing

Abutments for New/Higher loads

SYNOPSIS: There have been significant changes in Sub-

structure code and Bridge Rules for checking of existing bridges
through correction slips. The need for checking existing bridges
has increased due to introduction of CC+8+2 and CC+6+2
loadings on various routes. To make latest provisions clear,
sample calculations has been done for abutment of bridge no 39
(11 X 24.4 m) on Chappra- Aurnihar section of North Eastern
Railway.

It may be noted that longitudinal forces play very important role for
substructure and recent changes in Sub-structure code and Bridge Rules
attempt to rationalise these forces. To make these provisions along with
earlier important provisions clear, detailed notes in “RED” have been made
in sample calculations below. It may be noted that following calculations are
valid for checking of existing abutment. For design of new abutments,
different rules apply.

For any clarifications you may contact Sh. AJAY GOYAL at

ajaygoyal@iricen.gov.in.

BRIDGE DATA
Clear Span = 24.4 m
Overall Span = 26.212 m
Wt of girder = 42.5 t
Face to C/L of bearing = 0.69 m
Abutment Material = Brick Masonry
Ht of bed block = 0.61 m
Ht of bearing = 0.12 m
 FL

Bearing 0.12 m high

0.83
0.69 m
hb=0.61

11.219
Slope
1:1
H1=8.086

h=8.761

h2=0.15
3.144

0.535

45-Phy/2

ELEVATION

h = 8.761, h1 = 8.076, h2 = 0.15, h3 = 0.535

L’

PLAN

At Top At End of First Tapering At bottom

L 3.05 3.41 3.536
L’ 5.34 6.568 6.91
B 2.18 3.048 3.352
BALLAST WALL

L = 3.38
W = 0.25
H = 2.15

Formation Level to section considered h = 11.219 m

(i.e. upto bottom)
ht where 45-phy/2 line crosses slope (hp) = 3.144 m
Lever arm for DL/ LL of superstructure = 0.4 m
Lever Arm for ballast wall = 0.135 m

LOAD DATA

Loading = 1WDG2+7.59t/m
Axle Load 20.5 T
Tractive Effort 40.5 T
Loaded Length = 26.21 m
EUDL(Shear) = 229.2T As given by RDSO in EUDL chart for
above loading

SOIL DATA

Phy (φ) = 26 degree

Value of Phy in this case is too low.

Phy value is very important parameter and longitudinal forces i.e. Active and
Passive earth pressure vary significantly by change in value of φ. Actual
field trials should be done to determine value of Phy.

Delta = 2/3 phy = 17.33 degrees (Clause 5.7 of S.S.C.)

LONGITUDENAL FORCES

Tractive Effort = 40.5 t

Braking Force = 21.583 t For given span as per RDSO chart for
above loading.
WIND FORCE
Wind Pressure Constants as per IS 875 (Part 3)

k1 1.07
k2 1
k3 1

Basic Wind Speed as per IS 875 (Part 3) for NE area

Vb= 47 m/s

Design Wind Speed as per IS 875 (Part 3)

Vz= Vb x k1x k2 x k3 = 50.29 m/s

Design Wind Pressure as per IS 875

pz = 0.6xVz2
= 1517.45046 N/m2
= 151.7 45 Kg/m2

As per CS No. 34 to Bridge Rules “For checking adequacy of existing

bridges for permitting rolling stock involving higher loads, the bridge shall
not be considered to be carrying live load when wind pressure exceeds 100
kg/m2”.

Therefore Wind pressure to be taken= 100Kg/m2 with live load

DEAD LOADS

1. Girder + track

Wt of girder = 42.5 t As per Std Drawing

Wt of track @ 0.4 t/m = 10.4848 t
Total = 52.9848 t

2. Bed Block

Area 9.145 sqm

Depth 0.610 m
Vol 5.579 cum
Wt @ 2.5 t/m3 = 13.946

3. Ballast Wall

Wt = 3.488 t V1

4. Abutment

Area of top = 9.145 sqm

Area at end of first batter= 15.206 sqm
Area of Bottom = 17.507 sqm

V1 = 97.30003 cum
V2 = 2.451522 cum
V2
V3 = 9.36651 cum
Total Vol (V) = 109.1181 cum
V3
Wt @ 1.92 t/cum= 209.5067 t
 E3

LIVE LOADS
E2
Overall L = 26.212 m

1. EUDL for shear 229.2274 t E1

α
E1
2. Weight of Earth on Abutment

E1 = 88.53022 t
E2 = 8.786367 t
Arm for E2 = 1.383 m
E3 = = 9.356424 t
Arm for E3 = 0.675 m

3. Active Earth Pressure

Ka = 0.369688
pa = 0.5*W*h*h*Ka = 46.531t/m
Av Length of Abutment = 6.104 m
Total Pa = 46.53 X 6.104= 284.004 t
PaH COS (Alpha + Delta)20.409 266.175 t
PaV SIN 20.409 = 99.039 t

4 Earth Pressure due to surcharge

Axle Load of WDG2 = 20.5 t

Distance = 1.9 m
UDL = 10.78947 t/m
Track = 0.67 t/m
Ballast = 2.88 t/m
Total = 14.339 t/m

Total S+V per m 14.339 t/m

 h 11.219 Form Level to section
L 5.340 Av of L’ at top & bottom
B 3 m As per IRS SS code
B+h 14.219 m
L-B 2.34 m
h>L-B, hence Case II is applicable – Clause 5.8.2 of S.S.C.

 S +V 
  Ka
 B 

L-b
δ
h h

h
2

 S +V 
  Ka
 L 

P1 59.47334 t
P1H 55.73988 t Cos(alpha+delta)
P1V 20.73991 t
P2 4.542604 t
P2H 4.336313 t
P2V 1.353379 t
Pt of action of P1=h/2 = 5.6095 m
Pt of action of P2=H-[(L-B)/3] = 10.439 m
 5. Longitudinal Forces

Loaded Span 26.212 t

Tractive Effort 40.5 t
Braking Force 21.583 t
Governing LF 40.5 t
Dispersion 25% or 16 T whichever is lower as per clause 2.8.3.2 of
Bridge Rules.
LF after Dispersion 24.5 t
Effective LF for Abutment = Half = 12.25 t

As per original Clause No. 5.7.1.5 of S.S.C, only 1/3 of passive

pressure was permitted. However, provisions were modified vide
C.S.No.23 and now for checking abutments where passive resistance
is by soil mass fully consolidated (50 years or more) and well
protected, full passive pressure shall be taken into account. C.S.No.23
also gives detailed formula for calculating passive pressure which
have been used below for calculating passive pressure as per para 2
of C.S.No.23. This C.S. has a significant effect on horizontal forces on
Abutment which reduce substantially.
2.18

5.62
8.761
8.076
7.19

8.226

0.302 5.315

h = 3.14
h/2= 1.572

3.048

3.352
6. Passive Earth Pr as per Clause 5.7.1.6 of SSC & C.S.No.23 to SSC

Kp 4.025422
hp= ht where 45-phy/2 line crosses slope 3.143826 m
Pp 39.786 t/m
Av length 6.513 m
Total Pp 259.118 t

PpH= COS 14.25725 (Delta – Alpha) 251.137 t

PpV= SIN 14.25725 -63.814 t
"-ive" shows upward force

7. Passive surcharge

Width of abutment at 'B' = 2.784 m

Length of abutment at A = 5.34 m
Length of abutment at D = 6.568 m
Length of abutment at B = 6.194122
Avg. Length of abutment above BC= 5.767061 m
Total Area of soil mass above BC = 14.929 m2

Weight of soil mass above BC "Ws"= 172.1872 t

B (Width of earth fill at BC ) = 5.315 m

Passive height 'h' = 3.14 m

Passive pressure due to earth surcharge 'Pps'=(Ws/B)xhxKp = 409.961

Line of action of 'Pps' = 1.572

Alpha – delta = 14.25725 Kp = 4.025

Pps-Hor= 409.961 cos 14.257 = 397.334

Pps-Ver= 409.961 sin 14.257 = -100.963

Lever arm for Pps-Ver= 1.476

 TABLE OF FORCES AND MOMENTS

Lever
S Description Load in t Moment
Arm
N
H V tm
1 Dead Load 26.4924 0.4 10.597
2 Bed Block 13.946
3 Ballast Wall 3.488 0.135 -0.471
4 Abutment 209.507
5 Live Load 114.6137 0.4 45.845
6 Weight of Earth
E1 88.53022
E2 8.786367 -1.383 -12.152
E3 9.356424 -0.675 -6.316
7 Earth Pressure due to
Surcharge
P1H 55.740 5.6095 312.673
P1V 20.740 -1.25936 -26.119
P2H 4.336 10.439 45.267
P2V 1.353 -0.26 -0.352
8 Longitudinal Force 12.25 9.431 115.530
9 Active Earth Pressure
PaH 266.175 3.739667 995.406
PaV 99.039 -1.35984 -134.678
10 Passive Earth Pressure
PpH -251.137 1.048 -263.177
PpV -63.814 1.504 -96.009
11 Passive Earth Pressure
Surcharge
Pps-H -397.334 1.572 -624.574
Pps-V -100.963 1.476 -149.056
12 Total 474.720 212.415
Properties of section at Bottom

MI of rect section= 11.0980

MI of triang/semi cir. section (both sides)= 2.6474 6.19392174

1.687

3.536
1.687

Total MI (Myy=) 13.7453

Area= 17.507 sqm
Section Modulus (Zyy)= 8.201

Stresses for Approach & Span Loaded Case

Force 474.720 t
Moment 212.415 tm
F M
FINAL STRESSES = ±
A Z

Max Stress 53.02 t/sqm COMPRESSION

Min Stress 1.22 t/sqm COMPRESSION

Stresses for only Approach Loaded Case

Force 360.107 t Live load of 114.6137 shall
not act

Moment 51.040 tm Moment of 45.845 tm due

to L.L. & 115.530 due to
Tractive effort shall not come

F M
FINAL STRESSES = ±
A Z
Max Stress 26.79 t/sqm COMPRESSION

Min Stress 14.345 t/sqm COMPRESSION

WIND FORCE ANALYSIS
Height of top of Locomotive from rail level = 4.265 m
Height of top of BOX wagons from rail level = 3.233 m
Weighted height of load from rail level = 3.986251 m

Height of bottom of Load from rail level = 0.6 m

(Clause 2.11.3.1, note 1 of bridge Rules)

Effective Height of Locomotive for Wind = 3.986251-0.6= 3.386251 m

Wind Pressure as calculated earlier = 100 Kg/m2

Effective Area of Load for Wind = span X 3.386251=88.76042 m2
Wind force on load = 8.876042 t

Lever Arm =
M1 = Moment of "Wind force on Load" at bottom of abutment = 124.8338 tm

Depth of Girder = 1.98 m

Distance Between Girders = 2.135 m

Effective Area of Girder Windward side = 51.89976 m2

Effective Area of Girder Leeward side = 25.94988m2
Factor= 0.5
Total Effective Area of Girder = 77.84964m2

Wind force on Girder = 7.784964 t

M2=Moment of "Wind force on Girder" at bottom of abutment = 81.59421 tm

Total Effective Area of Bed Block = 1.3298 m2

Wind force on Bed Block = 0.13298 t

M3 = Moment of "Wind force on Bed Block" at bottom of abutment
=1.205597 tm
TOTAL MOMENT DUE TO WIND IN APPROACH LOADED CASE:-

Total Moment due to Wind Force =M2/2+M3= 42.0027 tm

TOTAL MOMENT DUE TO WIND IN APPROACH & SPAN LOADED

CASE:-

Total Moment due to Wind Force =(M1+M2)/2+M3= 104.4196 tm

Sectional Properties
MI of section= 12.3498
MI of triangular section (both) = 20.3582
Total MI (Mxx) = 32.7080

Section Modulus (Zxx) = 9.4669

Area = 17.5075 sqm

Stresses for Approach & Span Loaded Case

Force 474.720 t
Moment(Myy=) 212.415 t-m
Moment(Mxx=) 104.420 t-m

FINAL STRESSES
Max Stress 64.05 t/sqm COMPRESSION

Min Stress -9.81 t/sqm TENSION

 Stresses for only Approach Loaded Case
Force 360.107 t
Moment (Myy=) 51.040 tm
Moment (Mxx=) 42.003 tm

FINAL STRESSES

Max Stress 31.23 t/sqm COMPRESSION

Min Stress 9.91 t/sqm COMPRESSION

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Br.N0= 39, span= 11X24.4m, Loading 1WDG2+7.59t/m

LOAD COMBINATION 1= DEAD LOAD + LIVE LOAD

Approach & Span Loaded Case = 53.02 t/m2 (max) & 1.22 tm2 (min)

Approach Loaded Case = 26.79 t/m2 (max) & 14.345 t/m2 (min)

Permissible stresses = 55 kg/m2 (Comp) Hence OK

LOAD COMBINATION 2 = DEAD LOAD + LIVE LOAD + WIND LOAD

Approach & Span Loaded Case = 64.05 t/m2 (max) & (-) 9.81 t/m2 (min)

Approach Loaded Case = 31.23 t/m2 (max) & 9.91 t/m2 (min)

Permissible stresses = 55 + 33% = 73.15 t/m2 (comp) &

11 + 33% 14.63 t/m2 (tension)

In the above example, tractive force has been taken as 40.5 T as

maximum possible by WDG2 loco. As per C.S. No.23 to sub-
structure code, max. tractive effort which can come on bridge can
be fixed by Chief Bridge Engineer in consultation with Mechanical
& Operating Departments for each specific bridge location keeping
in view load to be hauled, the gradient in approaches and
operating characteristics of locomotives subject to physical
condition of bridge being certified as safe and bridge are kept
under close observation.
 For checking up of existing substructure of masonry, 100%
over stressing is permissible. Further over stressing upto 200% is
permissible at the discretion of CBE if physical condition of
structure is good.

Bridge substructure is a costly asset and rebuilding it is much

more costlier as it involves traffic restrictions. A thorough
assessment of substructure is necessary before deciding to
discard it.