Professional Documents
Culture Documents
bridges
There has been some debate about the build-up of tolerances in bridge steelwork and the
accuracy with which the steelwork can be positioned on the substructure. The tolerance of ±5
mm given in clause 6.302 iii) of the Model Appendix 18/1 (publication P170) is now generally
accepted as being unrealistic and an over-simplification of what is
a complex issue. The following diagrams and table show typical longitudinal and transverse
deviations in plan position (at datum temperature) between the various components, together
with a brief commentary. The Model Appendix 18/1 needs to be modified to reflect these
comments.
It is not intended to print a modified version of P170 but the electronic version that is available
on Steelbiz (currently the Third Edition) will be updated as follows:
It is also not intended to modify any of the Guidance Notes (publication P185) at present,
because they will be updated in about a year’s time, to align with recommendations in the
Eurocodes and in the execution standard,
EN 1090-2. However, the following additional comments should be noted, in relation to GN 1.04
and GN 5.03:
In GN 1.04, under the heading of “Basic principles for good articulation”, add the following
advice:
“Allow for fabrication tolerances in calculating design translations for the bearings
in GN 5.03 redundant. Under the heading “Tolerances on length”, disregard the comments in
paragraphs 2 & 3 (i.e. from “Model Appendix 18/1 clause …” to “… unnecessary tolerances
upon each other.”).