Professional Documents
Culture Documents
If the width of a bridge is insufficient to carry the
number of lanes required to handle the traffic
volume, the bridge will be a constriction to the flow
of traffic. If the strength of a bridge is deficient and
unable to carry heavy trucks, load limits will be
posted and truck traffic will be rerouted.
The bridge controls both the volume and weight
of the traffic carried by the transportation system.
Highest Cost per Mile of the System
Bridges are expensive. The typical cost per mile of a
bridge is many times that of the approach roads to the
bridge.`
Since, bridge is the key element in a transportation
system, balance must be achieved between handling
future traffic volume and loads and the cost of heavier
and wider bridge structure.
If the Bridge Fails, the System Fails
The importance of a Bridge can be visualized by considering the
comparison between the two main components of a highway system
i.e. a road and bridge itself.
Structural Arrangement
Discussion on Classification According To
STRUCTURAL FORM
• Widely constructed
• Usually used for Short and Medium spans
• Carry load in Shear and Flexural bending
• Efficient distribution of material is not possible
• Stability concerns limits the stresses and associated economy
• Economical and long lasting solution for vast majority of bridges
• Decks and girder usually act together to support the entire load in
highway bridges
Distinctive Features of Arch Bridge
Culvert Bridge
Slab Bridges
T-Beam Bridge
Wood Beam Bridge
Pre-cast Concrete Box Beam Bridge
Pre-cast Concrete I-Beam Bridge
Rolled Steel Beam Bridge
Medium Span Bridges (up to 50m)
Concrete Arch
Arch Bridge
Inclined Leg Frame Arch
Steel Truss-Arch
Truss-Arch Bridge
Steel Deck Truss
Main Structure Above the Deck Line
Suspension Bridges
Through-Truss Bridge
Main Structure Coincides with the
Deck Line
Slab (solid and voided)
T-Beam (cast-in-place)
Location:
Waserwork strasse, Zurich Switzerland, slab bridge modeled in CUBUS
software then later on modeled in SAP 2000.
Problem:
A 70 year old slab bridge (sort of cause way) was asked to be checked for the
current code of practice in turn checking the safety factors.
Solution:
The bridge was analyzed for the current loading situations according to the
current codes of practice and the results were compared with the results of
the older bridge analysis.
Result:
The safety factors were found in accordance with the older analysis and
design of bridge on which it was being built.
ROLE OF A BRIDGE ENGINEER
• Consultancy Environment
• Contractor Environment
Consultancy Environment
• Meeting the demand of clients
• Not compromising on quality control at the same time
while remaining economical.
• Must work properly on factors such as environment of
the location, traffic growth rate, population growth rate
etc before designing.
• Design should be flexible to the practical considerations.
• Following the proper design specifications.
• Proper Management both off site and on site.
Contractor Environment
• On site decision making keeping in mind factors such as cultural
& environmental factors etc
• Quality assurance to the consultants there by working up to the
needs of clients
• Be economical to the contracting firm along with not making a
compromise on quality.
• Proper time management and scheduling of works without undue
delays.
• Beneficial use of labors at various important locations of bridge.
CASE STUDY
• LOCATION:
• Arachtos, Greece.
• Arachtos bridge pier design for construction phase modeled in SAP 2000.
• Problem------Counter acting the forces just introduced for construction phase
due to heavy machinery to be used.
• Solution------Attaching with a cable or some other appropriate element with the
girder end so as to take part of loads.
• Result------calculation of the percentage of loads taken by the cable element.
• Acrachtos bridge pier design for construction phase modeled in SAP 2000 after
the introduction of cable attached to the box girder.
Aesthetics in Bridge Design
• The conventional order of priorities in bridge design is safety,
economy, serviceability, constructability, and so on. Somewhere
down this list is aesthetics. There should be no doubt in an
engineer’s mind that aesthetics needs a priority boost, and that it can
be done without infringing upon the other factors.
• The belief that improved appearance increases the cost of bridges is
unfounded and oftentimes the most aesthetically pleasing bridge is
also the least expensive.
• The additional cost is about 2% for short spans and only about 5%
for long spans
• It is not necessary that everyone agrees as to what makes a bridge
beautiful, but it is important that designers are aware of the qualities
of a bridge that influence the perception of beauty
Definition Aesthetics and Beauty
• Aesthetics is the study of qualities of beauty of an object and
of their perception through our senses.
• Even if this particular aesthetic air be the last quality we seen
in a bridge, its influence nonetheless exists and has an
influence on our thoughts and actions. ( Santayana )
Qualities of Aesthetic Design
“ There are not HARD & FAST rules or formulas for aesthetics of bridge
design. It finally gets down to the responsibility of each designer on each
project to make personal choices that will lead to a more beautiful
structure “
• Function
• Proportion
• Harmony
• Order & Rhythm
• Contrast & Texture
• Light and shadow
Function
• For a bridge design to be successful, it must always safely perform
its function.
• For example, a bridge is designed that fulfills every requirements of
aesthetic consideration and other requirements such as economy,
constructability etc. but is somehow unable to perform the function
for which it was designed, then however beautiful it is, it won’t be
appealing.
• The very first notion of beauty in a bridge is that it performs its
function efficiently and people using it are satisfied.
• Moreover, the IMPORTANCE of function also enhances the
BEAUTY or AESTHETICS of the BRIDGE.
• For Example: A bridge across straits of Bosporus at Istanbul. This
bridge replaces a slow ferry boat trip, but it also serves the function
of connecting two continents (Asia and Europe).
Proportion
• Good proportions are fundamental to achieving an aesthetically
pleasing bridge structure
• It is generally agreed that when a bridge is placed across a
relatively shallow valley, the most pleasing appearance occurs
when there are an odd number of spans with span lengths that
decrease going up the side of the valley.
• The bridge over a deep valley again should have an odd number of
spans, but should be of equal length. And slender girders and the
tall, tapered piers can add to the aesthetic pleasure
Proportion
• Another consideration is the proportion between piers and
girders. From strength viewpoint, the piers can be relatively thin
compared to the girders. However, when a bridge has a low
profile, the visual impression can be improved by having strong
piers supporting slender girders.
• Slender girders can be achieved if the superstructure is made
continuous. Infact, the superstructure continuity is the most
important aesthetic consideration
• The proportions of a bridge change when viewed from an oblique
angle.
Harmony
• Harmony means getting along well with others. The parts of the
structure must be in agreement with each other and the whole
structure must be in agreement with its surroundings.
Harmony between the elements of a bridge:
• It depends on the proportions between the span lengths and depth of
girders, height and size of piers, and negative spaces and solid
masses.
Harmony between the whole structure and its surroundings
• The scale and size of a bridge structure should be relative to its
environment.
• For Example, a long bridge crossing a wide valley can be large
because the landscape is large. But when a bridge is placed in an
urban setting, the size must be reduced.
Order and Rhythm
• Repeating similar spans too many times can become boring and
monotonous
• It can also become aggravating to be driving down the interstate
and seeing the same standard over crossing mile after mile. The
first one or two look just fine, but after a while a feeling of
frustration takes over the pleasing affect of however the beautiful
the construction.
Contrast and Texture
• There is a place for contrast, as well as harmony in bridge
aesthetics.
• All bridges do not have to blend in with their surroundings. “
when a bridge is built in the middle of the country, it should
blend in with the country side, but very often, because of its
proportions and dynamism, the bridge stands out and
dominates the landscape”
• The dominance seems to be specially true in case of Cable-
stayed and suspension bridges.
• There can also be contrast between the elements of a bridge to
emphasize the slenderness of the girders and the strength of the
piers and abutments.
Contrast and Texture
• Texture can also be used to soften the hard appearance of
concrete and make certain elements less dominant.
• Large bridges seen from a distance must develop contrast
through their form and mass, but bridges with smaller spans
seen up close can effectively use texture.
Light and Shadow
• Designer must be aware of how the shadows occur on the
structure throughout the day
• If the bridge is running north and south the shadows will be
quite different than if it is running east to west.
• For Example: When sunlight is parallel to the face of a girder
or wall, small imperfections in workmanship can cast deep
shadows. Construction joints in concrete may appear to be
discontinuous and hidden welded stiffeners may no longer be
hidden.
• One of the most effective ways to make a bridge girder appear
slender is to put it partially or completely in shadow.
Light and Shadow
• Creating shadow becomes especially important with the
use of solid concrete safety barriers that make the girders
look deeper than they actually are.
• Shadows can be accomplished by cantilevering the deck
beyond the exterior girder.
• The effect of shadow on a box girder is further improved
by sloping the side of the girder inward.
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