SRHQ423 – BRIDGE ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION AND BASIC CONCEPTS

ENGR. DIANA A. DE LA CRUZ

PROFESSOR
INTRODUCTION
bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as rivers, valleys, or ro
rder to provide passage over those obstacles. Bridges are designed to carry the w
f vehicles, pedestrians, or other loads, facilitating the movement of people and g

he main components of a bridge

nclude:
. Superstructure
. Substructure
. Foundations
INTRODUCTION
ridge engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on
lanning, design, construction, and maintenance of bridges. It involve
pplication of scientific and engine ering principles to create structures
re safe, functional, and cost-effective.

ridges can be categorized based on various factors, including

tructure, form, and the materials used.
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Structure
Arch Bridge

Beam Bridge
Suspension Br
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Structure
Cable-stayed

Truss Bridge
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Form: Fixed Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Form: Movables Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Usage

oad Bridges

Railway Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Usage

Pedestrian Bridges Pipeline Bridges

TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Materials

Steel Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Materials

Wooden B
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Location and Purpose

Highway Railroad Bridges

Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Location and Purpose

Highway Railroad Bridges

Footbridges Bridges
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Geometry

Curved Bridges

Straight Bridges
Skewed Br
TYPE OF BRIDGES
ased on Span Length
. Short-span Bridges
. Medium-spam Bridges
. Long-span Bridges
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
ridges have been a crucial part of
ransportation infrastructure in the
hilippines for centuries.
istorical records indicate that b ridges
were already present in various forms
ong before the Spanish colonization of
he Philippines in the 16th century.
ne of the notable historical bridges is
he Puente Colgante (Hanging Bridge) in
evilla, Bohol, which was built in the
arly 19th century during the Spanish
ra. This bridge is made of bamboo and
s an example of traditional bridge
onstruction in the Philippines.
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
he San Juanico Bridge
otal Length : 2, 164 m
onstruction Started : 1969 - 1973
ongest Span: 192 m
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
he modernization of bridges in the Philippines has been an ongo
rocess over several decades, with significant developments occurr
rom the mid-20th century to the present day.
everal factors have contributed to this modernization effort, includ
dvancements in engineering technology, increased transportat
eeds, and economic growth.

Post-World War II Reconstruction (1945-1950s)

fter World War II, the Philippines underwent reconstruction efforts, a
his period saw the construction of new bridges using more mod
materials and engineering techniques.
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
San Juanico Bridge (1973)
he completion of the San Juanic o Bridge in 1973 marked a signific
milestone in bridge modernization. Connecting the islands of Leyte
amar, it is the longest bridge in the Philippines and symbolizes
ountry's ability to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects.

National Bridge Inventory and Rehabilitation (1980s-1990s)

uring the 1980s and 1990s, the Philippine government focused on
nventory and rehabilitation of existing bridges. This involved
ssessment of the condition of bridges across the country and
mplementation of maintenance and rehabilitation programs.
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Introduction of Modern Bridge Designs (2000s-2010s)
he 21st century has seen the introduction of more modern bri
esigns and construction techniqu es in the Philippines. Various types
ridges, including cable-stayed and suspension bridges, have been b
o address the increasing demands of transportation and
urbanization.

Infrastructure Development Programs (2010s-Present)

he Philippine government has continued to prioritize infrastruct
evelopment through various programs, such as the "Build, Build, Bu
nitiative. This initiative aims to accelerate infrastructure spendi
ncluding the construction and improvement of roads and bridges acr
he country.
BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
he Philippines has explored public-private partnerships to fund a
mplement infrastructure projects, including bridges. This appro
nvolves collaboration between the government and private sector
inance, design, construct, and operate infrastructure projects.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
he superstructure of a bridge refers to the portion of the bridge
upports the load-carrying members, such as the deck or roadw
s the uppermost part of the bridge structure that directly bear
raffic loads and transfers them to the supporting elements.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Components of the
uperstructure
Bridge Deck / Deck Slab
he deck is the top surface of the
ridge that carries the vehicular or
edestrian loads.

t is the part of the superstructure

hat people and vehicles travel on.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Components of the
uperstructure
Girders
irders are horizontal support
members that span between the
ridge piers or abutments.
hey are the primary load-bearing
lements of the superstructure and
rovide support for the
deck.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Components of the
uperstructure
arapet and Railings
arapets and railings are protective
arriers along the sides of the deck
o enhance safety and prevent use s
rom falling off the bridge.
SUPERSTRUCTURE
Components of the
uperstructure
xpansion Joints
xpansion joints allow the bridge
tructure to expand or contract due
o temperature variations. They are
rucial for preventing thermal
tresses t hat could damage the
ridge.
SUBSTRUCTURE
he substructure of a bridge co nsists of the components that su
nd anchor the superstructure. It includes the elements belo
ridge deck or below ground level that transfer the loads fro
uperstructure to the ground.
he substructure is crucial for providing stability, resisting forces
nsuring the overall integrity of the bridge.
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
Abutments
butments are the supporting structures
t the ends of a bridge. They re sist the
orizontal forces transmitted by bridge
the
eck and provide vertical support.
butments are often in direct contact with
he ground.
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
Bearing Pads
earings are devices placed between the
uperstructure and substructure
lements to accommodate movements
uch as thermal expansion and
ontraction, as well as any settlem ent or
otation of the bridge components.
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
iers
iers are vertical or near-vertical
tructures that support the bridge deck at
arious locations between the abutments.
hey are commonly located in water
odies or other areas where additional
upport is required.
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
oundation
he foundation is the lowest part of the
ubstructure and provides support for the
butments and piers.
oundations transfer the loads fr m the
ridge to the underlying soil orrock.
bed
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
iles and Pile Caps
iles are deep foundation elements driven
nto the ground to support bridge
tructures in areas with poor soil
onditions or when the structure needs to
e elevated above the ground.

ile caps are thick reinforced concrete

labs that distribute the loads from groups
f foundation piles to the substructure
omponents.
SUBSTRUCTURE
Components of the Substructure
Retaining Walls
n cases where the bridge is built on a slope or the ground needs
etained, retaining walls are used as part of the substructure to resist l
oil pressure and maintain stability.
END OF LECTURE

QUESTION S ?
ASSIGNMENT:
. What are the different types of bridge used in construction
. What are the different loadings considered in the design o
ridges?
. Differentiate the structural elements included in the
ridge's superstructure and substructure. Define each of
hese elements.
. What are the different design considerations in
onceptualizing a bridge