Technical Proposal (Structures)

1. Introduction
This part of the proposal provides information on methodology that will be followed for
the structural evaluation and design of bridge structures under project “F/S Design &
Reconstruction of Bridges: ARSALA (S-11), Aghan Pur (S-10), Drwaza Kas (S-8),
Doghi (S-12), Bada on Swabi Topi road (S-1), Khyali (S-1), Matra (S-4), Machni (S-4),
Kababian (S-4), Dehri (S-10), Aloch Puran (S-10A), Chena on Swari Ambela Rd (S10-
A)”.
General approach and methodology for carrying out structural evaluation and design
services covered in the provided Term of Reference.

2. Reference Documents
Following documents/ reports have been used in preparation of this part of the report.
 Request for proposal (RFP)) for consultancy services of feasibility study and detailed
engineering design of pkha roads, F/S, design & reconstruction of bridges: Arsala (S-
11), Aghan pur (S-10), Drwaza Kas (S-8), Doghi (S-12), bada on Swabi Topi RD (S-
1), Khyali (S-1), Matra (S-4), Machni (S-4), Kababian (S-4), Dehri (S-10), Aloch
Puran (S-10a), Chena on Swari Ambela RD (S-10A), PKHA, Government of Khyber
Pukhtunkhwa.

3. Pre-requisite Data Required:

In order to do the structural design evaluation/ redesign of the structure, following
information shall be required by the Consultant:

 Employer’s/ Client’s requirements.

 Survey of existing structure.
 Hydraulic data of the Bridge Site with High Flood Level data to be passed by the
bridge.
 Geotechnical/ Soil Investigation Report of the Site.
 Highway Geometric Design of the Bridge.

4. Codes and standards:

The structure will be designed using the following standards:

 AASHTO (LRFD): Current Edition:

For analysis and design for all loads and load combinations. All load factors have
to be of AASHTO.
 WPHCB-1967, West Pakistan Highway Code for Bridges (1967)
For vehicular loads, their spacing
 BCP SP-2007, Building Code of Pakistan, Seismic Provisions 2007.
For seismic zoning in addition to the revised seismic risk map of Pakistan.
 ASTM & AASHTO
For material specifications and testing
 ACI Manual of Concrete Practice
For analysis, design and detailing only in case such details are not specified in
AASHTO.
5. Vehicles Live Loads:
5.1. West Pakistan Highway Code of Practice for Highway Bridges (1967):
West Pakistan Highway Code of Practice for Highway Bridges (1967) (WPCHB)
specifies more severe loads to be considered in combination with other loads such as
dead loads etc. as follows:

 Class AA Tank loading (698 KN) as per WPHCB

The 70 Ton tracked military vehicle to be placed in accordance with WPCHB to
give maximum stresses, see figure 1.
 Class A Loading
The 54.5 Ton train of trailers (with different axle loads) to be placed in
accordance with WPCHB to give maximum stresses, see figure 2.
 Deck slab check for punching shear:
The compressive strength of the deck concrete should not be less than 4000 psi
and thickness of deck slab should not be less than 8 inches.

Figure 1: Class AA tank load.

Figure 2: Class A Truck train.
 5.2. HL93 Loading as per AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification:
Vehicular live loading on the roadways of bridges, designated HL-93, and shall
consist of a combination of the:
• Design Truck or Design Tandem, and
• Design Lane Load (9.3 N/ mm longitudinal uniform load distributed on a width of
3000 mm)

HL-93 (Truck Load)

110 kN 110 kN

1200mm

HL-93 (Tandem Load)

Figure 3: Design truck and design tandem.

6. Other Loads:
Loads other than vehicular live loads, to be considered in the bridge design are as follows:
 Side Walk Live Load
A load of 5 kN/m2 (100 psf) of walkway between side barrier/ railing and
shoulder, applied continuously or discontinuously over both length and width of
the structure in order to produce the maximum stresses in the member under
consideration.

 Wearing Course Load

Wearing Course load shall be determined and applied to the structural model
based the thickness and weight properties of wearing course.

 NJ Barrier Dead Load

NJ Barrier dead load shall be applied as line load based on concrete weight and
geometry of the barrier

 Horizontal Live Load on Railing/ Posts of the Side Barrier

These depends upon the configuration of the Railing/ Posts/ barrier system. The
position and the magnitude of the horizontal loads are taken according to Article
2.7 of the AASHTO.
 Impact Load
Impact loading due to vehicle on the bridge superstructure is taken in accordance
with AASHTO for HL-93 loading. For Class A Standard Truck and Military
loading, West Pakistan Highway code shall be used.

 Wind Loads on Structure

Wind loads are taken in accordance with the provisions of AASHTO. Summarized
wind load determination procedure as per AASHTO LRFD is produced in figure 4
below.

Wind Load is determined from following equation:

Where,

Figure 4: Card showing procedure for determination of wind load.

  Wind Pressures on Vehicle (WL)
When vehicles are present, the design wind pressure shall be applied to both
structure and vehicles. Wind pressure on vehicles shall be represented by an
interruptible moving force of 1.46 N/ mm acting normal to and 1800 mm above,
the roadway and shall be transmitted to the structure

 Earthquake Forces
Earthquake forces are calculated according to AASHTO keeping in view the
recent earthquake of October 8th, 2005, the earthquake zones will be considered
accordingly.

 Loading on Abutment and Wingwalls

The abutments and wingwalls of the bridge shall be acted upon by backfill loads,
earthquake effects on backfills, surcharge effects due to vehicle impact, dead and
live loads from bridge deck, any scouring effects due to water in contact with
abutment.

 Stream Loads
Incase the bridge piers are placed inside a stream, canal or river, stream loads as
per AASTHO LRFD shall be taken on the pier of the structure. In addition,
scouring effects shall be considered to determine the true behaviour of water
around the pier and necessary measures shall be recommended to protect the
structure and the water body bed from the scouring effects of water.

7. Considered Limit States

As per AASHTO LRFD section 3.4.1, components and connections of a bridge shall
satisfy the demand for the applicable combinations of factored extreme load effects as
specified in Table 5, 3.4.1-1 reproduced below:

Figure 5: Table 3.4.1-1 of AASHTO LRFD giving Load Combinations and Load Factors.
 Fighre 6: Load Factors for Permanent Loads γp.

8. Structural Design Evaluation Methodology for Bridges:

For the structural design evaluation of existing bridge structure, following steps shall be
adopted to meet the employer’s requirement.

8.1. Assessment of Existing Structure:

 Visual Inspection & Physical Measurements: Condition survey of existing
structures shall be done to evaluate the existing condition and to assess the
serviceability of the structure. This will include identification of type of structural
system, cracks mapping, dimensions measurements, deflections measurement in
super and sub structures, any apparent distress including concrete spall-off,
corrosion of reinforcement.
 Non-Destructive Testing: The structural assessment of the existing structures
shall be carried out by performing Non Destructive Testing (NDT) according to
the relevant ASTM standard including Concrete Core extraction, steel sampling,
ferro scanning, Schmidt hammer test, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Testing. The
purpose of NDT will be to determine the material properties of existing structure.
 Geotechnical Investigations: If required, confirmatory geotechnical
investigations of the site shall be performed to determine the subsoil
characteristics including bearing capacity, sulphate content, etc. The caacity of
existing piles may be evaluated using SIT (Sonic Integrated Test).

8.2. Structural Modelling and Design:

Based on visual inspection, physical measurements and NDT results, analysis of
the exsiting structure shall be carried out to assess the serviceability, strength of
the structure. Analysis of following structural members shall be carried out to
check the adequacy against the applicable loads.
 Barrier
 Deck Slab and Approach slab
 Girders
 Diaphragms
 Bearing Pad
 Shear Blocks
 Transom
  Abutment/ Pier
 Pile Cap and Pile

8.3. Assessment Conclusion and Recommendations:

Based on the results of analysis of structure, the health of the structure will be
decided as follows:
 Structure is safe and usable.
 Retrofitting/ strengthening is required to make the structure safe and usable.
 Structure is not safe and need to be reconstructed.

8.4. Design for Retrofitting/ Strengthening of Existing Structure: This may

include the design of retrofitting and strengthening of barriers, deck slab,
expansion joint, girder, diaphragms, bearing pads, transom, pier, abutment wall,
wing wall, pile cap conforming to relevant ACI codes on retrofitting/
strengthening. Detailed structural drawings with retrofitting details and
methodology, relevant technical specifications and bill of quantities shall be
prepared for tendering procedures and further execution of construction work.

8.5. Design for Reconstruction of Structure:

8.5.1. Selection and Approval of Structural System:
Based on the available topography and contour system, most safe and
economically viable type of bridge and bridge span length shall be
selected. The bridge abutments and internal piers shall be placed such that
minimum hinderance to flowing water is produced to cause minimal
scouring. Incase of a flyover, the abutments and internal pier locations
shall be selected based on existing road network system to cause minimum
hinderance.

8.5.2. Structural Analysis & Design:

Selected bridge type shall be analysed and designed for all applicable
loading conditions conforming to relevant codes and standards as
mentioned above.

8.5.3. Preparation of Structural Tender and Construction Drawings:

Structural drawings including Concrete Outlines and Reinforcement
details shall be prepared for tendering procedures and further execution of
construction work.

8.5.4. Preparation of Bill of Quantities and technical Specifications:

Based on structural drawings and specifications, Engineer’s Estimate and
Bill of Quantities shall be prepared for tendering and construction
purposes.

9. Design of Existing Allied Structures:

The the existing structures including any culverts, drains etc. will be assessed and the
need for their protection, strengthening modification or replacement shall be assessed.
Any strengthening recommendations or replacement recommendations shall be done
and detailed drawings and BOQs shall be prepared for further tendering and work
execution.