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UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION

ENGINEERING

TEST
2009/2010 ACADEMIC YEAR
1st SEMESTER

SD 470: DESIGN OF BRIDGES

DATE: 4th January 2010

INSTRUCTIONS
Closed book examination
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total marks: 100%
Answer all TWO questions given in this paper
Remember to indicate the question answered on the top page of the answer book

Total number of pages including tables and this page is 5

© Dr JK Makunza – 2010
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Problem No. 1. (60%)
The bridge transversal section shown in Figure 1 has a longitudinal effective span of
15.00m. If the density of concrete is 24 kN/m3 and that of surfacing course material is 18
kN/m3, and assuming that the thickness of wearing course in 32mm at the ends, and that
there are 30 units of HB in which each unit is 2.5 kN per wheel, perform the following
tasks;

Guard Guard
Rail Rail

Kerb Surfacing course Kerb

300 125
3.2% slope
75

75
1300

Units in mm

1000 440 5560 440 1000

Figure 1: Transversal section of a concrete bridge

1.1 Calculate the ultimate loads considering transversal direction only, and sketch the
following:
i. HA loading alone
ii. Superimposed dead loads
iii. Dead loads
iv. HA + HB loading combination
1.2 Determine the transversal bending moment due to HA loading alone.
1.3 What is a scour effect in bridge operation? What precautions must be taken against
scour during design stage and construction of a bridge?

Problem No. 2 (40%)

2.1 Using sketches, differentiate between various types of superstructures (at least 6 types)
2.2 Mention the main types of drainage culverts and the respective materials from which
they can be made.
2.3 For what functions are wingwalls provided in bridges? Indicate the different types of
wingwalls using neat diagrams.
2.4 What is a pier as applied to bridges? Sketch at least three forms of piers in plan or
elevation.
2.5 For what purposes are bearinngs provided in bridges?
2.6 Using the figure below, determine the various alternatives for loading pattern that will
lead to choosing the severe case for design purposes.

Loaded length for intensity of HA UDL

25 m 25 m

Full HA No Load HB Vehicle No Load Full HA

Notional

Full HA
Lanes

Central reserve: No load for global analysis

1/3 HA
1/3 HA
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Design Aids
Table: 1: Notional lanes for design purposes according to the carriageway width
Carriage Width W(m) < 4.6 4.6-7.5 7.6-11.4 11.4-152 15.2-19.0
No.of Notional Lanes W/3 2 3 4 5
.

Table 2: HA Loading
Loaded length L (m) < 30m 30m - 379m > 379m
Uniform Load (k N/m/Lane) 30 151 L0.475 9
Knife edge load(kN/Lane) 120

HB Loading
The length of the vehicle is varied for the severest effect by dimensions shown in Figure 3.
0.25
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.25

0.2 1.80 6, 11, 16, 21, 26 m 1.80 0.2

Figure 2: HB Vehicle

Loaded length for intensity of HA UDL

25 m 25 m

1/3 HA 1/3 HA
No Load HB Vehicle No Load
Notional

Full HA Full HA
Lanes

Central reserve: No load for global analysis

1/3 HA
1/3 HA

Figure 3: A combination of HA and HB loading; HB occupying two notional lanes

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Pedestrian and Cycle Track Bridges
The imposed load on pedestrian and cycle track bridges is uniformly distributed and
depends upon the loaded lengths as follows:

• If L  30m then P = 5 kN/m2

• If 30 < L < 379m then P = 25.2 (L) -0.475 kN/m2
• If L > 379m then P = 1.5 kN/m2

Load Combinations
Principal Load Combinations
Combination 1: permanent + imposed loads
Combination 2: permanent + imposed + wind loads
Combination 3: permanent + imposed + constraining loads

Secondary Combinations
Combination 4: permanent + collision loads
Combination 5: permanent + friction loads at bearings
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SOLUTIONS

Question No. 1
1.1 Calculations of ultimate loads
(i)HA Load alone
Loaded length = 15.00 m
Carriageway width = 6.00 m
Number of notional lanes = 2
Width of each lane = 3.00 m

UDL: 30 kN/m/lane : 30 x 1.5/3.0 = 15.00 kN/m2

KEL: 120 kN/lane: 120 x 1.5/3.0 = 60.00 kN/m (transversal line load)

15.00 kN/m2
60.00 kN/m

1.22 m 6.0 m 1.22 m

(ii) Superimposed dead load

Surfacing: 0.096 x 18 x 1.75 = 3.02 kN/m2
Surfacing: 0.032 x 18 x 1.75 = 1.01 kN/m2
Parapet: 5.00 x 1.75 = 8.75 kN/m

8.75 kN 8.75 kN
2
3.02 kN/m
1.01 kN/m2

1.22 m 6.00 m 1.22 m

(iii) Dead load

Slab: 0.30x 24 x 1.15 = 8.28 kN/m2
Slab at edge: 0.075 x 24 x 1.15 = 2.07 kN/m²
Kerb: 0.125 x 24 x 1.15 = 3.45 kN/m2

3.45 kN/m2 3.45 kN/m2

8.28 kN/m2

2.07 kN/m2 2.07 kN/m2

1.22m 6.00m 1.22m
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(iv) HA with HB
UDL: 30 x 1.3/3.0 = 13.00 kN/m2
KEL: 120 x 1.3/3.0 = 52.00 kN/m (transversal line load)

HB Loading (taking 30 Units)

Total wheels: 16 wheels in 4 axles
Load per wheel: 30 x 2.5 x 1.3 = 97.50 kN
Load per axial: 97.5 x 4 = 390.00kN
Total vehicle load: 390 x 4 = 1560 kN

Pedestrian Load: 5 x 1.5 = 7.50 kN/m2

(iv) HA + HB

Pedestrian Load
7.50 kN/m 7.50 kN/m

1.65 7.0 m 1.65

P = 97.5 kN
a = 0.10 m
P P P P
a 1.0 1.0 1.0 udl : 13 .00kN/m2
KEL: 52.00kN/m

1.22 m 6.00 m 1.22 m

1.2 Bending Moment due to HA alone

15.00 kN/m2
60.00 kN/m

1.22 m 6.0 m 1.22 m

Maximum BM = 15 x 6 x 6/8 + 60 x 6 x6/8 = 337.5 kNm/m at mid span

1.3 Scour occurs during the passage of high discharge, when the velocity of the
stream exceeds the limiting velocity that can be withstood by the particles of the
bed material, the effect of which erosion of the river bed. Therefore, during design
stage the scour depth has to be determined and during construction, the
foundations must be below the scour depth so as to prevent its occurrence.
Problem 2 (40%)
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2.1 At least six types of superstructures

(a) Slab bridge

(c) Multispine bridge with steel boxes

(b) Slab-on-girder bridge with T-beam type of construction

(d) Multispine bridge with concrete boxes

(a) Single-cell bridge

(c) Slab-on-girder bridge with steel girders

(d) Voided slab bridge

(b) Multicell bridge

2.2 The main types of culverts are

- Bush/Log culvert - constructed using timber and logs
- Corrugated metal pipe culverts – made from corrugated steel plates 3- 5 mm thick
- Concrete pipes - made from reinforced concrete
- Concrete box culverts – made from reinforced concrete

2.3 The function of wing walls is to retain the approach road embankment and to
stabilize the abutment
Wing wall
Water flow Water
Parapet

Abutment Abutment
Road way
Roadway

wing wall

Parapet
Water flow Water

Student can show other types besides these two

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2.4. A pier is an intermediate support for a multi-span bridge

2.5 Bearings are provided at the interface between the superstructure and the
substructure in bridges. The main functions of bearings are:
i). To transmit the vertical loads from the superstructure to the substructure like piers and
abutments.
ii). To accommodate movements due to thermal changes resulting in expansion or
contraction
iii). To allow for rotation of the beams or bridge girders

2.7 The various alternatives for determining the severe case of loading for HA and HB are
as follows:
- Full HA on both lanes
- Full HA on one lane + HB on the second lane
- Full HA on single lane