Postgraduate Programme in Structural Engineering - 2022

Topics
Design Considerations

CE 6515 Alternative structural configurations & systems, use of different materials

Bridge Engineering
Bridge Modeling
Bridge deck loading & analysis, Guidelines & Codes of Practice in Bridge Design
including Sri Lankan practices
Design of Substructure & Superstructure
Design of Bearing and Joints
Dammika Abeykoon
Maintenance of Bridges
Department of Civil Engineering
Structural Dynamics for Bridges
University of Peradeniya
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Textbooks & References

RDA Bridge Design Manual, 1996
Essentials of Bridge Engineering, 4th edtion, D.J.Victor,
Oxford & IBH Publishing, 1973
Bridge Engineering, S.Ponnuswamy, Tata McGraw-Hill
Publishing, 1986
Introduction to
Bridge & Structure Estimating, J.D.Nardon, McGraw-Hill
Bridge Engineering
Publishing, 1985
Bridge Engineering Handbook, 2nd edition, Wai-Fah Chen &
Lian Duan, CRC Press, 2014

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 A Bridge A Bridge
The basic purpose of a bridge is to carry traffic over an opening
or discontinuity in the landscape
to its towering pylons and vaulting span, Bridge traffic can include pedestrians, vehicles, pipelines,
a bridge is a thing of wonder and of cables, water, and trains, or a combination thereof
An opening can occur over a highway, a river, a valley, or any
other type of physical obstacle
DAVID BERNARD STEINMAN The design of a bridge can only commence after its function has
been properly defined
(American Structural Engineer, 1886-1960)

looking
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Historical Background
Bridge engineering is one of the most fascinating fields in Civil Engineering which
requires expertise in surveying , hydraulic analysis, foundation design, steel & structural History of Bridge Construction in Sri Lanka
concrete designs
Development of the science of bridge engineering has taken place with the The ancient kings has built sturdy bridges out of granite slabs & pillars. Ruins
development of human civilization in various bridges around Anuradhapura can be found across Malwathu Oya,
The bridge over the Nile river in Egypt built in 2650 BC was the earliest bridge on record Halpan Ela, Kandara Oya, Yan Oya, Kala Oya & Deduru Oya
Use of fallen trees brought about the construction of bridges with timber & the first
timber bridge was built in Switzerland
Later timber replaces by steel as the construction material in the 18th century & the first
steel bridge was built in Telford, England in 1779
Due to increasing cost of steel, concrete bridges were invented & the first concrete
bridge was built in 1889 in San Francisco, USA
The use of concrete in bridge construction further expanded with the application of
pre- Stone Bridge over Malwathu Oya Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge
Arch bridges were also developed simultaneously by the Romans & Chinese & first
Roman arch bridge was constructed in 200BC

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
History of Bridge Construction in Sri Lanka Key Stages in Bridges
Bridge Year of Year of Replacement
Construction Design Construction Service
Mawanella Arch Bridge 1832
Peradeniya Satinwood Bridge 1833 Steel Arch Bridge -1905
Construction- Bridge-
Gampola Bridge 1859 Concrete Bridge - 2004 System Selection
Documents Management
Kalutara Old Bridge 1878 Concrete Bridge - 1990
Preliminary Design
Management Monitoring
Value Engineering
Katugastota Bridge 1890 Concrete Bridge - 2010 Erection Evaluation
Victoria Bridge 1895 Japan Friendship Bridge 1992 & 2000
Bentota Bridge 1898 Concrete Bridge - 2007 Modeling
Maintenance
Analysis
Retrofitting
Design
Rehabilitation
Detailing

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Design Criteria
Stages of a Bridge Design A bridge should be designed to satisfy a given function under
given environmental conditions & constraints
Conceptual to come up with various feasible bridge schemes & The design must also follow the prevailing specifications & codes
design to decide on one or more final concepts for further
consideration They may collectively be called the design criteria of the bridge
These include, but are not limited to
to select the best scheme from these proposed
Preliminary
concepts & then to ascertain the feasibility of the Type, volume, & magnitude of traffic to be carried by the bridge
design
selected concept & finally to refine its cost estimates Clearances required by the type of traffic on the deck
Navigation clearance under the bridge
to finalize all the details of the bridge structure so
Detailed Environmental effects such as earthquake, wind, flood, & other possible
that the document is sufficient for tendering &
design natural phenomena
construction
Geological formation & soil characteristics at the site
Construction to provide step-by-step procedures for building the Economic conditions or available project funding
design bridge Expectations of the stakeholders on form and aesthetics

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Design Objectives Classification of Bridges
Multi-criterion optimization process
Based on:
Optimum solution with respect to: Utilization and Purpose
Construction cost Topography and Location
Maintenance Overall Geometry
Aesthetics Structural System and Framing
Inconveniences during and after construction Fabrication/ Construction Method
Environmental impact Structural Material
Risk in view of geology and construction
Construction time
Often highly subjective process
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Utilization Topography Geometry Structural System

Highway River Straight
Beam: Simply Supported, Continuous
Railway Valley Curved Arch: Fixed arch, Hinged arch, Tied Arch
Pedestrian Elevated Skew
Aqueducts Fly-over etc Frame bridges: Slant leg bridges, V-bridges
Canal Cable stayed bridge
Fabrication/Construction Suspension bridges
Pipeline etc.
In-situ concrete bridges
Inverted suspension bridges
Pre-cast concrete bridges Stressed deck bridge
Cantilever construction
Incrementally Launched
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Structural Material
Stone bridges

Structural Systems
RC bridges
Pre-stressed Concrete
Pre tensioned
Post tensioned
for Bridges
Internal/ External
Bonded/Unbounded
Steel
Wood
Composite (steel girder + RC deck)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Four Basic Types of Bridges Structural Elements

Every structure is made up of only four basic types of structural
elements, & each one is dominated by one type of function

They are axial force elements (A elements), bending elements (B

elements), curved elements (C elements), & torsional elements
Girder bridge Arch bridge (T elements). [abbreviated as the ABCT of structures]

Most torsional elements can be established using a combination

of the first three element types. But, for convenience, having
torsional elements will simplify our thinking process.
Cable-stay bridge Suspension bridge

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Structural Elements Structural Elements
A elements:

in a cable-stayed bridge, the predominant function of the cables,

the girder, & the towers is to carry axial forces, the same is true for
a truss bridge
There are local effects that may cause bending moment in these
elements, but they are less dominant and can be considered
secondary

B element:

A girder bridge, which carries the loads mainly by bending

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Structural Elements Development of Bridge Systems

C element: Masonry Arch
Arch Bowstring Arch
Fixed Arch
When an axial force element changes direction, it creates a force component Three Hinged Frame
lateral to the axial force. So each change of direction will create a lateral Arch - Beam Stiffened Arch
Haunched Cantilever
component. These lateral components can be used to resist lateral loads. If Slab Bridge
the lateral loads are sufficiently closely spaced, the structural element Slant legged frame
Beam/Girder Parallel truss
becomes a curve, resulting in a curved structural element Bowstring Truss
Multi-span beam bridge
Fishbelly Truss
There are two major types of curved elements: Cable-Beam Cantilever Truss
Cable Stayed
if the axial force is compression, the structure is similar to an arch Simple cable
Parallel Cable Suspension
Cable
Suspension
If the axial force is tension, the element is similar to a suspended cable such Stressed ribbon
as the main cable of a suspension bridge

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Some Examples
Bridge Structural Systems Arch Bridges
Arch Bridges
Primarily transfer loads through compression

Arch - Beam Bridges

Partly by compression, partly by Bending + Shear

Beam Bridges
Primarily transfer loads through Bending + Shear

Beam-Cable Bridges
Partly by Bending + Shear and partly by tension

Cable Bridges Deck Arch

Primarily transfer loads through Tension

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Arch Bridges
Arch Bridges

Through Arch

Multiple Decks

Half-through Arch
Tied Arch Bridges

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Frame Bridges
Beam/Girder Bridges

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Truss Bridges Cable-Stayed Bridges

Mix of two planes &

single plane

Single planes

Two parallel planes

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Suspension Extra-dosed Bridge

Kisogawa
Bridge Mie,
Japan

Akashi Kaikyo
Bridge, Japan
Cross between a girder bridge & a cable stayed bridge
Cable act as pre-stressing cable for deck
Inverted suspension Shorter tower
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Mixed Systems Components of a Typical Bridge

Typical Bridge

Deck Platform for vehicles &

pedestrians

Piers & Transfer loads from

Abutments deck to foundation

Foundations Transfer loads to ground

Barriers, Side Walk

Ancillary Systems Expansion Joints
Lighting, Draining
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Structural Elements
Deck Basic Deck Types
Simple RC Slab
RC Slab & RC Beams
Bearing RC Slab & Pre-cast, Prestressed Girder
Pier T Girder, I Girder, Box Girder

Composite Deck
RC Slab and Steel Beam
Foundation Abutment RC Slab and Plate Girders

Steel Orthotropic Deck

Super structures Bridge deck, girders etc.
Concrete Box Girders
Substructure Piers, Abutments, Foundations
Steel Box Girders
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Deck Types
Pier & Pier Bent Types
Single Pier
Solid concrete sections and Hollow section
Rectangular, Polygonal, Circular
Prismatic and Flared
Pier head and Pier Cross Beam Frame
Hollow steel section
Multiple Pier Bent
Piles extended as Pier
Multiple Piers on Pile cap
Special Frames
Multilevel Decks
Off-center decks and foundations

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Bridge Piers -Examples
Piers Sections & Types

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Bridge Piers -Examples Abutments

Open Abutments: (Sill Type)
Monolithic: Built together with deck slab
Seat type: Directly resting on Soil
Spill through: Beam resting on piles/ columns
Closed Abutments
Cantilever: Cantilever retaining wall
Restrained: Connected retaining wall
Rigid Frame: Rigidly part of main frame
Semi Gravity: A form of cantilever type
Special Abutments
Cellular types: Consists of cells or boxes

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Typical Abutments

Typical Bridge Foundations

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Typical Bridge Bearings

Bridge Bearings
Bearings connect the superstructure with the sub- structure
Allow for movements, yet transfer forces

Elastomeric: Made from rubber and steel plates

Guided Sliding: Steel on steel, Teflon coated
Pot: Made from steel. Rubber filled
Rocker: Steel arm for large movement
Pin or Hinge: Mechanical Pin made in steel
Roller: Mechanical Roller
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Typical Bridge Bearings -Roller
Elastomeric bearings
Roller

Segmental
Roller

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Knowledge Model for System Selection

Structural Systems
Selection

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Determining System Suitability Evaluating System Suitability
The Suitability Equation
The Analytical Hierarchy Approach
A weighted importance and suitability value analysis to
determine the comparative value of a system or option
Using the Suitability Equation
Criteria Weights and Scores
Main Criteria Ai Am System
Value of an Slab Sub Criteria Bij Sub Criteria Bin Bmn Value
Systems Item k Item p Item k Item p Item p (V)
Option Score Score Score Score Score
Wt Wt Wt Wt

Global Sub System 1 Cijkl Sijkl Cijnl Sijpl Cinkl Sinkl Cinnl Sinpl Smnpl
Suitability
Importance Importance Value and System - q
Weights and Weights Score
Scores and Scores

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Selection of Structural System

Assigning Suitability Values Non pre-stressed Concrete Slab Bridges

Score or Representation of Suitability Highway Railway

Weight Span Range Solid Slabs 5 to 14 m 4 to 8 m
10 Most
10 important, most suitable, most desirable, essential Cored / Voided slabs 12 to 20 m Not used
8, 9 Very important, very suitable, very desirable Span-to-Depth Simple 15 (+/ -) 12 (+ /- )
Ratios Continuous 20 to 24 16 (+ / -)
6, 7 Important, suitable or desirable
5 May be or could be important, suitable or desirable Non pre-stressed Concrete Girder Bridges
3,4 May not be important, suitable or desirable Highway Railway
1, 2 Not important, not suitable, not desirable Span Range 9 to 24 m 6 to 24 m
0 Definitely not required, definitely not suitable, ignore Span -to- Simple 14 (+/ -) 10 ( +/ -)
Depth Ratios Continuous 15 (+/ -) 10 (+ /- )

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Box Girder Bridges Pre-cast Pre-tensioned Bridges

Highway Railway Highway Railway

Span Range 24 to 60 m 15 to 30 m Span range Solid slabs 6 to 9 m 4 to 6 m
Simple 16 (+/-) 13 (+/-) Core slabs 9 to 24 m 7 to 12 m
Span -to-
Depth Ratios Continuous 18 (+/-) 14 (+/-) Span to Depth ratio 25 to 33 20

Pre-stressed Concrete Slab Bridges (Post tensioned) Prestress Concrete Girder Bridges (Cast-in-place, Post Tensioned)
Highway Railway
Highway Railway
Span Range Constant Depths 24 to 150 m Up to 33 m
Solid slabs Up to 24 m Up to 6 m
Span Range Haunched Up to 215 m No data
Cored/Voided slabs Up to 46 m Up to 12 m
Simple 22 (+ /-) 14 (+/ -)
Slabs Over 46 m No data Span to Continuous 25 to 33 16
Span to Simple 20 (+/ -) 16 ( +/ -) Depth ratio
Depth ratio Haunched 33 to 50 No data
Continuous 24 to 40 18 (+/ - )

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Pre-cast T-beam, I Girder and Box Girder

Highway Railway
T Beam & I Girder Simple 18(+/ -) 14 (+/ -)
Continuous 20( +/ -) 16( +/ -)
Span to Depth
Spread Box Girder Simple
Design Considerations
18(+/ -) Not used
ratio
Continuous 22( +/ -) Not Used
Butted Box Girder Simple 25(+/ -) 16(+/ -)
Continuous 28( +/ -) 18(+ /-)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Design Considerations
Economical consideration
Site Selection
Aesthetics
Geotechnical Investigations
Hydrological & Hydraulic Considerations
Safety Considerations
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Choice of the right site
It is a crucial decision in the planning & designing
It may not be possible always to have variety of choices of sites
Ex: Bridges in urban areas & flyovers
Wide range of choices may available for river bridges in rural area
For a better selection of site for a major bridge;
A reconnaissance survey for about 1km upstream & downstream &
either side of road from the bridge site is recommended to have
general impression of the landscape & to decide on the type of
structure best suited to the site
Investigation of a number of probable alternative sites
Selection is likely to serve the needs of the bridge at the least
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Site Selection for Bridges
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Characteristics of an ideal site for a
bridge across a river
A straight reach of the river
Steady river flow without serious whirls & cross currents
A narrow channel with firm banks
Suitable high banks above high flood level on each side
Rock or other hard non erodible strata close to the river bed level
Economical approaches
Proximity to a direct alignment of the road to be connected
Absences of sharp curves in the approaches
Absence of expensive river training works
Avoidance of excessive underwater construction
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Aesthetics in Bridge Design
Mankind has deeply ingrained sensitivity to beauty
Ugly bridges are a form of pollution & create public discontent
Aesthetics in & despair
Engineers should not be limited to design calculations &
Bridge Design monitoring of construction
Engineers must have sense & feeling for the value & essence of
beauty
Highly subjective, non-dimensional & generally not
quantitative
Reputation of Civil Engineering profession

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Some Basic Ideas In bridge design, engineers are given total responsibility
Should not be an after thought
Why some bridges are much appreciated than others ?
Form follows function (specially in bridges) Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden rules of Proportion
Harmony & balance Brooklyn Bridge
Integration into the Environment
Continuity & Contrast
Attention to Form, Surface, Detail
Expressiveness of strength ?

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Aesthetics design decisions should be approached in the
Determinants of Appearance of a Bridge following order of importance:

Horizontal and vertical geometry

How people react to an object depends on what they see
Superstructure type
& the order in which they see it important in
Pier/support placement & span arrangements determining the
The largest parts of the bridge: the superstructure, piers & Abutment placement & height
final result
abutments have the greatest impact
Superstructure shape (including parapets, overhangs, & railings)
Surface characteristics (color/texture) come next, then Pier shape
details Abutment shape
usually considered the
Color
Texture, ornamentation, & details they are the least

Lighting, signing, & landscaping

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Some Examples
Selection of Structural System : Large Span Selection of Structural System : Site

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Selection of Structural System: Option 1 Selection of Structural System: Option 2

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Selection of Structural System: Navigation Selection of Structural System: Traffic

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
 Selection: Environment Selection: City Aesthetic & Land Mark

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Some iconic bridges in the world

Sydney Harbor Bridge
Selection: Aesthetic Lighting Millau Viaduct -
France

Akashi Kaikyo
Bridge, Japan
Golden Gate Bridge, California

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

 Some iconic bridges in the world
Rama VIII Bridge - Bangkok Storebaelt Bridge - Denmark

Hydrological & Hydraulic

Clifton Suspension Bridge, England Quebec Bridge, Canada
Considerations

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Hydrological & Hydraulic Considerations Hydraulic Analysis

Hydraulic analysis is a critical component for design of bridges
that cross water bodies
Hydrology Analysis
The first analysis process in the hydraulic design for a bridge is
the hydrology, or the calculation of design flood discharges &
sometimes discharges for historical floods
Hydraulic analysis is the calculation of flow patterns, flood
levels & flow velocities for the bridge & nearby river reach
This information is the data used directly in the analysis of the
bridge & the impacts of the bridge on local flooding in the
water course
The hydraulic analysis relies on the survey data described
above, which is used to control the flood flow patterns in the
model

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Main components of a bridge hydraulic design
Background investigation
Data collection
Survey & site visit
Hydrology analysis, calculation of flood discharges
Hydraulic analysis, calculation of flood flow patterns,
flood levels & flow velocities
Bridge investigations, including assessment of options
Times of submergence & times of closure
Scour assessment & scour protection measures
Reporting & documentation
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Design Discharge
Most of discharge determining methods are based on statistical analyses of
rainfall & runoff records, involving preliminary or trial selections of alternative
plans that are judged to fit the site conditions & to accommodate the flood flows
selected for analysis
The most commonly used methods:
Empirical method, Rational method, Area velocity method, Statistical gage
analysis method, Discharge comparison of adjacent basins from gage analysis,
Regional flood-frequency equations, & Unit hydrograph method
(The results from these methods should be compared, but not averaged)
The design discharge is the 50-year discharge or the greatest of record, if
practical (Many times, the historical flood is so large that a structure to manage
the flow becomes uneconomical. In such a case, engineering judgment is
needed)
Changes in land use alter the surface runoff so that future land use changes
during the bridge life should be considered in the field
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Drainage Basin
The area of drainage basin above a given point along a stream is a
major contributing factor to the quantity of flow past that point
For the given conditions, the peak flow at the proposed site is
approximately proportional to the drainage area
The basin shape affects the peak discharge
(long narrow basins give lower peak discharges than pear shaped basins)
The basin slope affects the concentration time
(steep slope decreases but flatter slope increases the concentration time)
The mean elevation of a drainage basin affects runoff
(higher elevation basins receive a significant amount of precipitation)
A basin orientation with respect to the direction of storm
movement affects peak discharge
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Waterway & length of bridge
For bridges across water courses or rivers the length has to be
decided, taking into consideration the nature of the water
course
A knowledge of the waterway required at site is also necessary
The width of waterway provided is the distance between the
abutments less the total width of the piers with allowances
made for the effects due to the edges
Piers and abutments should be located as to make the best use
of foundation condition available & also not to obstruct water
flow
If the waterway provided by the bridge is restricted, it will
create an afflux upstream & also cause additional scour due to
increased velocities
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

The afflux created should not have any harmful effects in the
region prepared for the bridge
The effect of the additional scour or the stability of the
foundation should also be checked
In determining the waterway requirements of bridges, the
streams/rivers should be divided into three groups
Stream/river those banks and bed with hard and in erodible
Stream/river with in erodible banks but with erodible beds
Stream/river with erodible banks and bed
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Best solutions for minimizing scour damage
Locating the bridge to avoid adverse flood flow patterns
Streamlining bridge elements to minimize obstructions to the
flow
Designing foundations safe from scour
Founding bridge pier foundations sufficiently deep to not
require riprap or other prevention measures
Founding abutment foundations above the estimated local
scour depth when the abutment is protected by well
designed riprap or other suitable measures
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Scour /Scour Protection
The removal of material from the bed & banks of streams during the passage
of a flood discharge when the velocity of the stream exceeds the limiting
velocity that can be withstood by the particles of the bed materials
Scour prevention measures are generally incorporated after the initial
construction of a bridge to make it less vulnerable to damage or failure
from scour
A plan of preventive action usually has
three major components:
Timely installation of temporary scour
prevention measures
Development & implementation of a
monitoring program
Schedule for timely design & construction
of permanent scour prevention measures
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Best solutions for minimizing scour damage
For existing bridges, the following alternatives can be used:
Monitoring scour depths & closing bridge if excessive scour exists
Providing riprap at piers and/or abutments & monitoring the
scour conditions
Constructing guide banks or spur dikes
Constructing channel improvements
Strengthening the bridge foundations
Constructing sills or drop structures
Constructing relief bridges
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Geotechnical
Considerations
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Geotechnical Issues
Foundation issues
Including the determination of the strength, stability, & deformations of the
subsurface materials under the loads imposed by the structure foundations, in
& beneath slopes & cuts, or surrounding the subsurface elements
Earth pressure issues
Including the loads & pressures imposed by the earth materials on foundations
& against supporting structures, or loads & pressures created by seismic (or
other) external forces
Construction & constructability considerations
Including the extent & characteristics of materials to be excavated, & the
conditions that affect deep foundation installation or ground improvement
Groundwater issues
Including occurrence, hydrostatic pressures, seepage & flow, erosion
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Geotechnical Considerations
Understanding of the surface & subsurface ground conditions
are among the most critical components of planning &
developing cost models for & designs of bridges
The execution of a quality ground investigation is the basis for
the appropriate design & cost-effective construction of the
bridge foundations
A complete geotechnical study of a site should be conducted to
determine the subsurface stratigraphy & stratigraphic relationships
(and their variability)
define the physical properties of the earth materials
evaluate the data generated & formulate solutions to the project-
specific & site-specific geotechnical issues
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Objectives of Site Investigation
To provide the required data for the design of safe, reliable, &
economic foundations
To provide data for contractors to use to develop appropriate
construction cost estimates
construction
In addition, may be to provide:
Data for route selection & bridge type evaluation during planning
& preliminary phase studies
Data for as-built evaluation of foundation capacity, ground
improvement, or other similar requirements
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
Key factors to consider when defining site
investigation requirements Field Exploration Techniques

Borings (including drilling, soil sampling, & rock-coring

techniques)
Downhole geophysical logging
In situ testing including cone penetration test (CPT), T-bar &
ball penetrometer soundings & vane shear, pressure meter
& dilatometer tests
Test pits & trenches
Geophysical survey techniques
(Bridge Engineering Handbook)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA