Chapter 12

Maximum Deflection in Bridges

The elastic deflections of girders due to L.L. (without dynamic
effect) shouldn’t exceed:-

Max allowable
Category
deflection

Railway bridges L/800

Roadway bridges L/600

Structural buildings L/300

Crane track girders L/800

To cancel the deflection due to dead load a cumber is done
during the construction of the beams or trusses, where the
structure will be have the required shape after erection.
In case of suspension bridges the cumber is done by adding both
the deflection due to D.L. and L.L. into consideration.
 
The minimum sections to be used in structural steel works shall
be as follows:-
 Railway Roadway Structural
Section
bridges bridges buildings

Equal angles 75758 65657 45455

unequal angles
75508 65507 45305

.S.I.B No20 No16 No12

Channels No16 No12 No8

Plates mm8 8mm 5mm

Gusset plates for main 12mm 10mm

8mm
truss