SUPERSTRUCTURE REPORT

Mohammed Ahmed and Kin Ting Li

Section 1: Grace Cawdron

Section 2-6,8: Mohammed Ahmed

Section 7: Kin Ting Li

Contents
1. Wind loading ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.1 Load path diagram ........................................................................................................................ 4
3. Ultimate limit state check ................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Dead loads(Gk) .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.1.1 Reinforced concrete slab ....................................................................................................... 5
3.1.2 Surfacing ................................................................................................................................ 5
3.1.3 Pavements.............................................................................................................................. 6
3.2 Live loads(Qk) ................................................................................................................................ 6
3.3 Calculation of UDL ......................................................................................................................... 7
4. Using the model .................................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 The model ..................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Beam checks using the model..................................................................................................... 10
4.2.1 Sizing secondary beams ........................................................................................................... 11
4.2.2 Sizing primary beams ............................................................................................................... 13
4.2.3 Sizing longitudinal end beams ................................................................................................. 15
4.2.4 Cable sizing............................................................................................................................... 16
5. Arch size ............................................................................................................................................ 17
6. Main connections.............................................................................................................................. 17
6.1 Secondary beam to primary beam connection design checks ................................................... 17
6.2 Steel cables to arch ..................................................................................................................... 20
6.3 Steel cables to end beam ............................................................................................................ 21
7. 3-Pin analysis..................................................................................................................................... 21
7.1 Bending ....................................................................................................................................... 24
7.2 Shear force .................................................................................................................................. 28
7.3 Axial force ................................................................................................................................... 29
8. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 31
9. References ........................................................................................................................................ 32
1. Wind loading

All calculations are done in line with Eurocode and all factors are taken from the UK national
annex to Eurocode 1.

Assuming the bridge is a 40 m by 3 m (2 m high parapets and 1 m deck thickness) rectangle

with a clearance of 5.3 m and the winds coming from the north-east and south-west:

ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 5.3 + 3 = 8.3 𝑚

𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 23.25 𝑚𝑠 −1

Wind loading from the north-east:

𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟: 𝐶𝑑𝑖𝑟 (𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑥)

𝐶𝑑𝑖𝑟 = 0.85

The bridge is 120 km from the coast

𝐶𝑒,𝑇 = 0.915

𝐶𝑒,𝑇 = 2.21

𝑉𝑏 = 23.25 ∗ 0.85 = 19.8 𝑚𝑠 −1

𝑞𝑏 = 0.5 ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝑉𝑏

𝑞𝑏 = 0.5 ∗ 1.226 ∗ 19.82 = 240 𝑃𝑎

𝑞𝑝 = 240 ∗ 0.915 ∗ 2.21 = 485 𝑃𝑎

𝑐𝑓 = 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠

Wind loading from north-east (F) is

𝐹 = 485 ∗ 2 ∗ 40 ∗ 3 = 116 𝑘𝑁

Wind loading from the south-west:

 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟: 𝐶𝑑𝑖𝑟 (𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑥)

𝐶𝑑𝑖𝑟 = 1 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒)

The bridge is 10 km from the coast

𝐶𝑒,𝑇 = 0.852

𝐶𝑒,𝑇 = 2.37

𝑉𝑏 = 23.25 ∗ 1 = 23.25 𝑚𝑠 −1

𝑞𝑏 = 0.5 ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝑉𝑏

𝑞𝑏 = 0.5 ∗ 1.226 ∗ 23.252 = 331 𝑃𝑎

𝑞𝑝 = 331 ∗ 0.852 ∗ 2.37 = 668 𝑃𝑎

𝑐𝑓 = 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠

Wind loading from south-west (F) is

𝐹 = 668 ∗ 2 ∗ 40 ∗ 3 = 160 𝑘𝑁

2. Introduction
This set of calculations provides information on the loading on the bridge and the sizing of
the main components of the bridge. This is in accordance with BS EN 1993 design of steel
structures and BS EN 1991-2 actions on structures. BS EN 1991-2 is used to determine the
live loads such as traffic loads. BS EN 1993 was used to determine the safety factors of the
dead and live loads. BS EN 1993 was also used to determine the design resistance for
different stresses. The calculations will be dealing with permanent loads and live loads.
2.1 Load path diagram

Figure 1: Load path diagram of deck and arch

Figure 1 shows the load path diagram for the tied arch bridge. It shows the forces acting
downwards from the deck and the tension forces acting on the cables. The tension forces
from the cable are then transferred to the arch which is transferred to the arch abutments.
According to this load path diagram the following bending moment diagrams should be
produced when modelling the bridge.

Figure 2: Out of plane bending on arch

 Figure 3: Bending moment on deck

Figure 4: Partial safety factors BS EN 1993 1-8

3. Ultimate limit state check

𝐺𝑘 = 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝑄𝑘 = 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝛾𝐺 𝐺𝑘 + 𝛾𝑄 𝑄𝑘

3.1 Dead loads(Gk)

3.1.1 Reinforced concrete slab
𝛾𝑅𝐶 = 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒

𝑉𝑅𝐶 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑏

𝛾𝑅𝐶 × 𝑉𝐶 × 9.81 × 𝛾𝐺 = (18.2 × 32 × 0.2) × 2500 × 9.81 × 1.35

∴ 𝐺𝑘 = 3.86𝑀𝑁

3.1.2 Surfacing
𝛾𝐴 = 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡

𝑉𝐴 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡
 𝛾𝐴 × 𝑉𝐴 × 9.81 × 𝛾𝐺 = 2322 × (11.5 × 32 × 0.05) × 9.81 × 1.35

∴ 𝐺𝑘 = 565.8𝑘𝑁

3.1.3 Pavements
𝑉𝑃 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝛾𝐶 = 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒

2(× 𝛾𝐶 × 9.81 × 𝛾𝐺 ) = 2[(3 × 32 × 0.1) × 2400 × 9.81 × 1.35]

∴ 𝐺𝑘 = 610.3𝑘𝑁

3.2 Live loads(Qk)

The live loading was calculated according to BS EN 1991-2 using load model 1 which covers
most the effects of traffic, lorries and crowds. Load model 1 suggests a double-axle tandem
system with each axle having the weight 0.5𝛼𝑄𝑖 𝑄𝑘 , however as the span of the bridge is
higher than 10m a single axle concentrated load of weight equal to two axles is taken. 𝛼𝑄𝑖 is
taken as 1 as to expect the worst-case scenario of high levels of traffic. Therefore, the
equation becomes 𝛼𝑄𝑖 𝑄𝑘 .

50kN

300kN

200kN

100kN

Figure 5: Load model 1 double-axle lane loading

Figure 5 shows the double-axle system where each respective lane has the standard loading
according to table 4.2 BS EN 1991-2. Since a single-axle system is being used then the loading
becomes:

𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑒 1 = 600𝑘𝑁, 𝑞𝑖𝑘 = 6.52𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑒 2 = 400𝑘𝑁, 𝑞𝑖𝑘 = 4.35𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑒 3 = 200𝑘𝑁, 𝑞𝑖𝑘 = 2.17𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑒 4 = 100𝑘𝑁, 𝑞𝑖𝑘 = 1.09𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

∴ 𝑄𝑘 = 1.5 × 1300 = 1950𝑘𝑁

Therefore 𝛾𝐺 𝐺𝑘 + 𝛾𝑄 𝑄𝑘 = 5036.1 + 1950 = 6986.1𝑘𝑁, which is the loading in the deck due to
the ULS.

3.3 Calculation of UDL

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑(𝐺𝑘 )+𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑(𝑄𝑘 ) 3860+565.8+610.3+1950

=
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑘 18.2×32

11.995𝑘𝑁
𝑈𝐷𝐿 =
𝑚2

192𝑘𝑁
𝑈𝐷𝐿 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 (𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠) = (11.995 × 32)/2 =
𝑚

12.84𝑘𝑁
𝑈𝐷𝐿 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 (𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠) = (11.995 × 18.2)/17 =
𝑚

4. Using the model

The bridge was modelled on Autodesk Robot structural analysis professional to analyse the
bridge when subject to the loads specified above. Robot Structural Analysis is a finite
element analysis software that has a range of powerful finite element modelling solvers.
This allows users to model, analyse and design a range of materials such as steel structures
in accordance with British standards amongst others.

Model verification:
Before producing the model, a model verification was completed ensure that the software
was being used correctly. A simply supported beam of length 10m with a UDL of 10kN/m
was analysed by hand with the results shown below.

Figure 6: Simply supported beam with 10kN/m UDL

𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐸) = 2.05 × 1011

𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 (𝐼) = 7.64 × 10−6

𝑊𝐿2
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 125𝑘𝑁𝑚
8

5𝑊𝐿4
𝛿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 83𝑚𝑚
384𝐸𝐼

These results were then compared to the model as shown below:

Figure 7: Model output of maximum bending moment

Figure 8: Model output of maximum deflection

The model outputs were 129.94kNm for the maximum bending moment and 78mm for the
maximum deflection. The percentage of error for the moments is 3.8% and for the
deflection is 6.41%. As both are under 10%, the model can be considered correct.
4.1 The model

Figure 9: Model created using Autodesk robot

The loading that was applied to the bridge was a UDL on the deck placed above each beam
to represent the dead and live loading. For the abutments a pinned support was used at
each arch end and fixed supports on one side of the deck and pinned supports on the other.
 Figure 10: Model applied with loading from section 2

4.2 Beam checks using the model

The initial beams used in the model are UB 838 x 292 x 226 for the transverse girders
secondary beams and UB 1016 x 305 x 249 for the primary beams of steel grade S355. Some
of the values from the model are scaled up to fit the diagram. The values of the design
resistances were found using the SCI bluebook.

According to BS EN 1993-1-1 (Clause 6.2.6), the equations for the checks are as follows:

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟

𝐴 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

355𝑁
𝑓𝑦 =
𝑚𝑚2
𝐴𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 𝛾 [1]
𝑚𝑜

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝛾𝑚𝑜 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐴𝑣 = 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑤𝑒𝑏 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 × 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝐴𝑣 × (𝑓𝑦 /√3) [2]

 𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑊𝑝𝑙 = 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝑓𝑦 𝑊𝑝𝑙 [3]

4.2.1 Sizing secondary beams

Figure 11: BMD and axial force diagram for

secondary beam UB 838 x 292 x 226

Figure 12: Shear force diagram for secondary

beam UB 838 x 292 x 226

For UB 838x 292 x 226:

Axial force in tension check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 9970𝑘𝑁, This is the design axial force in tension value obtained from the SCI bluebook.

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 7500𝑘𝑁 < 9970𝑘𝑁, Figure 11 shows that the maximum axial force in the model
from the axial force diagram (in red) is 7500kN.

Shear resistance check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 2807.8𝑘𝑁, This is the design shear resistance value obtained from the SCI bluebook.
𝑉 = 472.13 < 2807.8𝑘𝑁, Figure 12 shows the shear force diagram (in orange) from the model and
shows a maximum shear force of 472.13kN

Moment capacity check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 3160𝑘𝑁𝑚, This is the design moment capacity obtained from the SCI bluebook

𝑀𝑦 = 499𝑘𝑁𝑚 < 3160𝑘𝑁𝑚, Figure 11 shows the bending moment diagram for the member (in
purple), which gives a value lower than the design moment capacity

Therefore, the beam passes all the checks. To try and save cost the beam UB 762 x 267 x
134 will be checked.

For UB762 x 267 x 134:

Figure 13: BMD, SFD and axial force diagram for secondary beam
UB 762 x 267 x 134

Axial force in tension check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 6070𝑘𝑁

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 5499.4𝑘𝑁 < 6070𝑘𝑁, Figure 13 shows the axial force diagram (in red) and gives a
value of 5499.4kN.

Shear resistance check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 1844.6𝑘𝑁

𝑉 = 693.5𝑘𝑁 < 1844.6𝑘𝑁, Figure 13 shows the shear force diagram (in orange) from the model
which gives a maximum shear force lower than the design shear resistance

Moment capacity check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 1650𝑘𝑁𝑚
 𝑀𝑦 = 490.8𝑘𝑁𝑚 < 1650𝑘𝑁𝑚, Figure 13 shows the bending moment diagram (in purple), which
gives a maximum bending moment of 490.8kNm

Therefore, the beam UB 762 x 267 x 134 satisfies the checks and will be used.

4.2.2 Sizing primary beams

For UB 1016x305x249:

Figure 14: BMD diagram for primary beam

UB 1016 x 305 x 249

Figure 15: axial diagram for primary beam

UB 1016 x 305 x 249

Axial force in tension check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 9450𝑘𝑁

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 1786𝑘𝑁 < 9450𝑘𝑁, Figure 15 shows the axial force diagram from the model

Shear resistance check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 3314.5𝑘𝑁

𝑉 = 4611.1𝑘𝑁 > 3314.5𝑘𝑁, as the shear force is higher than the design shear resistance this beam
size does not satisfy this check.
 As UB 1016 x 305 x 249 has easily passed the axial tension checks but failed the shear
resistance check UB 914 x 305 x 201 will be checked.

Figure 16: BMD and axial force diagram for

primary beam UB 914 x 305 x 201

Figure 17: Shear force diagram for primary beam

UB 914 x 305 x 201

For UB 914 x 305 x 201:

Axial force in tension check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 7530𝑘𝑁

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 1792𝑘𝑁 < 7530𝑘𝑁, Figure 16 shows the axial force diagram (in red) and gives a
force less than the design resistance

Shear resistance check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 2794.7𝑘𝑁

𝑉 = 1721.47 < 2880𝑘𝑁, Figure 17 shows the shear force diagram from the model, where the shear
force was obtained

Moment capacity check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

 𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 2880𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀𝑦 = 1054.7𝑘𝑁𝑚 < 2880𝑘𝑁𝑚, Figure 16 shows the bending moment diagram (in purple) by the
model

Therefore, this beam UB 914 x 305 x 201 satisfies all the checks and will be used as the
primary beams in the girder system.

Loading from girder system (Cobb, 2015):

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 UB 762 x 267 x 134 = 133.9𝑘𝑔/𝑚

Weight of 17 UB 762 x 267 x 134 beams = 17(133.9 × 18.2 × 9.81) = 406.5kN

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 UB 914 x 305 x 201 = 200.9kg/m

Weight of 2 UB 914 x 305 x 201 beams = 2(200.9 × 32 × 9.81) = 126.1kN

4.2.3 Sizing longitudinal end beams

The loading put on the end beams will be due to the permanent and live loads but will also
include the superimposed load from the girder system.

406.5 + 126.1 + 𝐺𝑘 + 𝑄𝑘
𝑈𝐷𝐿 𝑜𝑛 𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠 = = 150𝑘𝑁/𝑚
25 × 2

For CHS 508 x 12.5:

Figure 18: BMD and axial force diagram for end

beam CHS 508 x 12.5
 Figure 19: Shear force diagram for end beam CHS
508 x 12.5

Axial force in tension check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑁𝑃𝑙,𝑅𝐷 = 6920𝑘𝑁

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 955.64𝑁 < 6920𝑘𝑁, Figure 18 shows the maximum axial force produced by the
model

Moment capacity check (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 678𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀𝑦 = 311.99𝑘𝑁𝑚 < 678𝑘𝑁𝑚, Figure 18 shows the maximum bending moment from the model

Therefore, this beam passes the checks and will be used.

Full loading from deck (Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk., 2022):

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 CHS 508 x 12.5 = 153kg/m

Weight of 2 CHS 508 x 12.5 beams = 75kN

1.35𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑(𝐺𝑘 ) + 1.5𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑒(𝑄𝑘 ) + 1.0𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 7593.7𝑘𝑁

∴ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑐𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 474.6𝑘𝑁

∴ 𝑈𝐷𝐿 𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ = 14.83𝑘𝑁𝑚

4.2.4 Cable sizing

Due to a load of 474.6kN being to be applied to each cable a 6x36 cable arrangement was
chosen of steel rope grade 1770 with nominal diameter 32mm. This is because it meets the
required breaking force needed to withstand the loads from the deck according to EN 12385-
5:2002. The following equation is according to BS EN 1993-1-11 1.3.9.

𝑑 2 𝑅𝑓 𝐾
𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1000

𝑑 = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

𝑅𝑓 = 𝑅𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 36 steel wire strands to

make one steel wire, 6
𝐾 = 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 steel wires makes one
cable
322 ×1770×0.33
𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1000
= 598.1𝑘𝑁 > 474.6 kN
Figure 20: 6x36 steel cable arrangement
5. Arch size
The arch section is trapezoidal throughout and is 2.3m wide and 0·2m thick at the crown to
1·1m wide and 0.5m thick at the base. The average circumference of the arch is 52.1m.

6. Main connections
The main connections are the secondary beams to the primary beam, the primary beams to
each other and the steel cable to the hangars.

6.1 Secondary beam to primary beam connection design checks

Figure 21: Shear forces acting at each end of the

secondary beams
The worst case is on member 13 with an ultimate beam end reaction of 298kN and
230.77kN in each respective end.

Design dimension checks:

Figure 22: Flexible endplate connection design made on Figure 23: Layout of bolt spacing on endplate
Autodesk Robot

End-Plate parameters:
Height=280mm, Length=160mm, Thickness=10mm, Steel grade S275 Fillet weld

M20 Bolts parameters:

d0=22mm, Diameter=20mm, Class=10.9, e2=28mm, p1=50mm, p2=54mm
Dimension check (BS EN 1993 1-8 table 3.5)
𝑒2 = 28𝑚𝑚 > 1.2(𝑑0 ), 𝑐 = 50𝑚𝑚 > 2.2(𝑑0 ), 𝑃2 = 54𝑚𝑚 > 2.4(𝑑0 )
Dimensions have passed checks.
Bolt shear strength (BS EN 1993 1-8 table 3.4):
𝐹𝑣, 𝑅𝑑(𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ) = 0.5𝑓𝑢𝑏(𝐴𝑠)/ 𝛾𝑚2

𝑓𝑢𝑏 = 1000𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

𝐴𝑠 = 245 𝑚𝑚2

𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝛾𝑚2 = 1.25

𝐹𝑣, 𝑅𝑑 = 0.5(1000)(245)/1.25 = 98𝑘𝑁

Bearing resistance check (BS EN 1993 1-8 table 3.4):

 𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐹𝑣, 𝑅𝑑 = 6 ∗ 98 = 588𝑘𝑁

𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 10𝑚𝑚 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 11.2𝑚𝑚

𝐸𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 > 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

𝐹𝑏, 𝑅𝑑(= 𝑘1𝑏𝑓𝑢𝑑𝑡/𝛾𝑚2

 𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 (𝑒1/3𝑑0 ) = 28/ (3𝑥22) = 0.424 or

𝑃1 /3𝑑0 − 0.25 = 50/(3 ∗ 22) − 0.25 = 0.508

∴  = 0.424

𝑘1 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 (2.8(𝑒2 /𝑑0 ) − 1.7) = (2.8 ∗ 28/22 − 1.7) = 1.86,

(1.4( 𝑃2 /𝑑0 ) − 1.7) = (1.4 ∗ 54/22 − 1.7) = 1.74,

𝑘1 = 1.74

𝐹𝑏, 𝑅𝑑 = 1.74 ∗ 0.42 ∗ 0.4 ∗ 50 ∗ 10/1.25 = 116.93𝑘𝑁 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 6 ∗ 116.93 = 701.6𝑘𝑁 > 298𝑘𝑁

This implies that the bearing resistance check has passed.

Endplate in shear resistance check: (BS EN 1993 1-1 Cl.6.2.6):

𝑉𝑝𝑙, 𝑅𝑑 (𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒) = 𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑣/(3)0.5 /𝛾𝑚0

𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝛾𝑚0 = 1.05

𝐴𝑣(𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎) = 2 ∗ (314 − 4 ∗ 22) ∗ 10 = 4520𝑚𝑚2

𝑉𝑝𝑙, 𝑅𝑑 = (0.275/(3)0.5) ∗ (4520/1.05) = 683.5𝑘𝑁 > 298𝑘𝑁

This implies that the check has passed.

Fillet weld shear resistance check (BS EN 1993 1-8 Cl.4.5.1-4.5.3):

𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 2 ∗ (136 − 4 ∗ 6) = 224𝑚𝑚

𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠: 0.7 ∗ 6 = 4.2𝑚𝑚

𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 250 ∗ 1000/(224 ∗ 4.2) = 265.7 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 430/ (3)0.5/(0.85 ∗ 1.25) = 233.5𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

This implies the check is ok.

Beam web shear resistance check (BS EN 1993 1-1 Cl.6.2.6):

𝑉𝑝𝑙, 𝑅𝑑(𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒) = 𝑓𝑦/ (3)0.5 𝐴𝑣/𝛾𝑚0

𝐴𝑣(𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎) = 314 ∗ 6.4 = 2009.6𝑚𝑚2

𝑉𝑝𝑙, 𝑅𝑑 = 0.275/ 30.5 ∗ 2009.6/ 1.05 = 303.9𝑘𝑁 > 298𝑘𝑁

This implies the check has been passed

Block tearing capacity check (BS EN 1993 1-8 Cl.3.10.2):

𝑉𝑒𝑓𝑓, 1, 𝑅𝑑 = 𝑓𝑢𝐴𝑛𝑡/ 𝛾𝑚2 + (1/ (3)0.5𝑓𝑦𝐴𝑛𝑣/𝛾𝑚0

= 0.5 ∗ (24 − 20/2) ∗ 10/1.25 + (1/(3)0.5) ∗ 0.275 ∗ (314 − 24 − 3.5 ∗ 20) ∗ 10/1.05)

= 388.66 𝑘𝑁 > 298/2 = 149𝑘𝑁

Therefore, all the checks for this connection have been passed and it is suitable to use.

The same connection can be used for the primary-primary beam connection as the ultimate
beam end reaction has a similar load, this is also the case for the members that connect to
the end beams.

6.2 Steel cables to arch

Figure 24: Dimensions of hanger connection plate

Baitsch, et al, (2005) mentions that this design for the hanger connection plate that
connects the arch and steel cables can take a tension force of 975kN. This can withhold the
tension force of the steel cables as that is 474.6kN as calculated in the full loading on deck.
The hangar is of steel grade S275 and has dimensions; 0.145m high, 0.11m wide and 0.025m
thick.

6.3 Steel cables to end beam

Circular hollow section column

baseplate

M12 bolt

Figure 25: Steel cable to end beam connection

The steel cables will be connected to a circular hollow section of size CHS 193.7 x 10. The
baseplate will instead be an upper arc baseplate as opposed to the flat one in figure 24. This
will allow the connection to fit onto the end beam and then be fixed by four M12 bolts.

7. 3-Pin analysis

Since it is complex to calculate the moment, shear as well as axial force for the diagonal tied
arch bridge, the calculation of three hinged arch is suggested for the estimation of the
design. Given that the UDL is 14.83kN/m, the calculation is shown below.
Figure 26: shows the forces acting on the tied arch bridge.

y at any point along a parabolic arch is given by:

y = [4𝑦𝑐 (Lx − x 2 )]/L2

yc=height of the crown of the arch from the base

L= Length of Arch

x=horizontal ordinate of interest

𝑀𝐵 = 0 (anticlockwise -ve)

32
𝐴𝑦 (32) − (14.83)(32)( ) = 0
2

𝐴𝑦 = 237.28𝑘𝑁

𝑀𝐴 = 0

32
−(𝐵𝑦 (32)) + (14.83)(32)( ) = 0
2

𝐵𝑦 = 237.28𝑘𝑁

𝑀𝐶 = 0
Figure 27: shows the forces acting on the LHS of the tied arch bridge.

16
𝑥= = 8𝑚
2

𝑦 = [4(19)(32𝑥 − 𝑥2)]/322

𝑦 = [4(19)(32(8) − 82)]/322

𝑦 = 14.25𝑚

−𝐴𝑋 (19) + 𝐴𝑦 (16) − 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0

−𝐴𝑋 (19) + 237.28(16) − 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0

𝐴𝑋 = 140.49𝑘𝑁

Figure 28: Forces acting on the RHS of the tied arch bridge.
 −𝐵𝑦 (16) + 𝐵𝑥 (19) + 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0

−237.28(16) + 𝐵𝑥(19) + 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0

𝐵𝑥 = 140.49𝑘𝑁

7.1 Bending

Figure 29: Bending moment, axial forces and shear forces acting on the RHS of the tied arch bridge.

Figure 30: Sections dividing the tied arch bridge into 6 parts.

When x=6.4m, 𝑦 = [4(19)(32(6.4) − 6.42)]/322

𝑦 = 12.16𝑚
 𝑀𝐴 = 0 (Hinged support)

6.4
𝑀1 = (𝐴𝑦 )(6.4) − 𝐴𝑥 (12.16) − (14.83)(6.4)( )
2

6.4
𝑀1 = 237.28(6.4) − 140.49(12.16) − (14.83)(6.4)( )
2

𝑀1 = −493.4848𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀2 = 𝐴𝑦 (6.4)(2) − 𝐴𝑥 (18.24) − (14.83)(12.8)(6.4)

𝑀2 = 237.28(6.4)(2) − 140.49(18.24) − 14.83(12.8)(6.4)

𝑀2 = −740.2272𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀𝑐 = 𝐴𝑦 (16) − 𝐴𝑥 (19) − 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0

𝑀𝑐 = 237.28(16) − 140.49(19) − 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚

RHS:

𝑀𝑐 = −𝐵𝑦 (16) + 𝐵𝑥 (19) + 14.83(16)(19 − 14.25) = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑀3 = −𝐵𝑦 (12.8) + 𝐵𝑥 (18.24) + 14.83(12.8)(6.4)

𝑀3 = −237.28(12.8) + 140.49(18.24) + 14.83(12.8)(6.4)

𝑀3 = 740.2272𝑘𝑁𝑚

6.4
𝑀4 = −𝐵𝑦 (6.4) + 𝐵𝑥 (12.16) + 14.83(6.4)( )
2

6.4
𝑀4 = −237.28(6.4) + 140.49(12.16) + 14.83(6.4)( )
2

𝑀4 = 493.4848𝑘𝑁𝑚
 𝑀𝐵 = 0 (Hinged support)

After analysing the data, the bending moment diagram is projected by potting the data along the
arch.

Figure 31: Bending moment diagram of the tied arch bridge.

Figure 32: Bending from model

𝑦 = [4𝑦𝑐 (𝐿𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )]/𝐿2

𝑦 = 4(19)(32𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )/322
 19
𝑦= (32𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )
256

19
𝑦 = 2.375𝑥 − ( ) 𝑥2
256

𝑑𝑦 19
= 2.375𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑑𝑥 256

𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑦’/[1 + (𝑦’)2 ]0.5

𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 1/[1 + (𝑦’)2 ]0.5

For Point A (0,0) x=0 y=0

𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑦’/[1 + (𝑦’)2 ]0.5

19
𝑦’ = 2.375 − ( )𝑥 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0
128

𝑦’ = 2.375

𝑆𝑖𝑛 = 2.375/[1 + (2.375)2 ]0.5

𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 0.9216

𝐶𝑜𝑠 = 1/[1 + (2.375)2 ]0.5

𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 0.3881

Point x (m) y (m) y’ [1+(y’)2]0.5 Sin Cos

A 0 0 2.375 2.5769 0.922 0.388
1 6.4 12.16 1.425 1.7409 0.819 0.574
2 12.8 18.24 0.475 1.1071 0.429 0.903
C 16 19 0 1 0 1
3 19.2 18.24 -0.475 1.1071 -0.429 0.903
4 25.6 12.16 -1.425 1.7409 -0.819 0.574
 B 32 0 -2.375 2.5769 -0.922 0.388

7.2 Shear force

𝑄 = 𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑠−= 𝐻𝑠𝑖𝑛

𝑄𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦 (0.388) − 𝐴𝑥 (0.922)

𝑄𝐴 = 237.28(0.388) − 140.49(0.922)

𝑄𝐴 = −37.49818𝑘𝑁

𝑄1 = [𝐴𝑦 − (14.83)(6.4)](0.574) − 𝐴𝑥 (0.819)

𝑄1 = [237.28 − 14.83(6.4)](0.574) − 140.49(0.819)

𝑄1 = −33.342𝑘𝑁

𝑄2 = [𝐴𝑦 − (14.83)(12.8)](0.903) − 𝐴𝑥 (0.429)

𝑄2 = [237.28 − (14.83)(12.8)](0.903) − 140.49(0.429)

𝑄2 = −17.417𝑘𝑁

𝑅𝐻𝑆 𝑄𝑐 = [𝐴𝑦 − 14.83(16)](1) − 𝐴𝑥 (0) = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑄3 = [𝐴𝑦 − 14.83(19.2)](0.903) − 𝐴𝑥 (−0.429)

𝑄3 = [237.28 − 14.83(19.2)](0.903) − 140.49(−0.429)

𝑄3 = 17.417𝑘𝑁
 𝑄4 = [𝐴𝑦 − 14.83(25.6)](0.574) − 𝐴𝑥 (−0.819)

𝑄4 = [237.28 − 14.83(25.6)](0.574) − 140.49(−0.819)

𝑄4 = 33.342078𝑘𝑁

𝑄𝐵 = [−𝐵𝑦 (0.388)] − 𝐵𝑥 (−0.922)

𝑄𝐵 = [−237.28(0.388)] − 140.49(−0.922)

𝑄𝐵 = 37.467𝑘𝑁

After analysing the data, the shear force diagram is shown by potting the data along the arch.

Figure 33: Shear force diagram of the tied arch bridge.

7.3 Axial force

𝑁 = −𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛 − 𝐻𝑐𝑜𝑠

𝑁𝐴 = −237.28(0.922) − 140.49(0.388)
 𝑁𝐴 = −273.28228𝑘𝑁

𝑁1 = −[237.28 − 14.83(6.4)](0.819) − 140.49(0.574)

𝑁1 = −197.240652𝑘𝑁

𝑁2 = −[237.28 − 14.83(12.8)](0.429) − 140.49(0.903)

𝑁2 = −147.221094𝑘𝑁

𝑁𝑐 = −[237.28 − 14.83(16)](0) − 140.49(1)

𝑁𝑐 = −140.49𝑘𝑁

𝑁3 = −[237.28 − 14.83(19.2)](−0.429) − 140.49(0.903)

𝑁3 = −147.221094𝑘𝑁

𝑁4 = −[237.28 − 14.83(25.6)](−0.819) − 140.49(0.574)

𝑁4 = −197.240652𝑘𝑁

𝑁𝐵 = −(−238.88(−0.922)) − (141.44(0.388))

𝑁𝐵 = −273.28228𝑘𝑁

After analysing the data, the axial force diagram is projected by potting the data along the
arch.
 Figure 34: Axial forces diagram of the tied arch bridge

8. Conclusion
The following sizes and dimensions were chosen based on the calculations completed
above.

Deck Section sizes and dimensions Quantity

Primary beams UB x 914 x 305 x 201 2
Secondary beams UB 762 x 267 x 134 17
End beams CHS 508 x 12.5 2
Arch
Arch frame 2.3m wide and 0.2m thick at 1
crown, 1.1m wide and 0.5m thick
at base. Steel grade S355J2
Cables 6x36 cable arrangement, 32mm 16
nominal diameter
Connections
M20 Bolt 20mm diameter 6 per endplate
Endplate 280 x 160 x 10 112
Steel hanger Height=0.145m, Width=0.11m, 16
Thickness=0.025m
CHS connection for cable to CHS 193.7 x 10 16
end beam
 M12 Bolt 12mm diameter 64

9. References
Baitsch, M., and Hartmann, D. (2005). Towards lifetime optimization of hanger connection
plates for steel arch bridges. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252495148_Towards_lifetime_optimization_of_
hanger_connection_plates_for_steel_arch_bridges (Accessed 26 April 2022)

Cobb, F. (2015). Structural engineer’s pocketbook: Eurocodes. Third edition. Boca Raton: CRC
Press.

Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk. (2022). Axial force & bending with S355 - Blue Book - Steel for
Life. Available at: https://www.steelforlifebluebook.co.uk/ub/ec3-ukna/axial-force-bending-
s355/ (Accessed 1 April 2022).

Steelforlifebluebook.co.uk. (2022). Section properties - Dimensions & properties - Blue Book -

Steel for Life. Available at: https://www.steelforlifebluebook.co.uk/ub/ec3-ukna/section-
properties-dimensions-properties/ (Accessed 1 April 2022).

BS EN 1991 + A1:2010. 2011. UK National Annex to Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures.