BRIDGE

a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, road, railroad, or

other obstacle.
Different Methods of
Bridge Construction
 Different Methods
• Cast In- Situ
• Pre Cast
• Span by Span Casting
• Cable-Stayed
• Arch Method
 Cast-in-situ Method of Bridge Construction

• This method is a flexible method of bridge construction where complex

and unusual geometrical shapes of dams can be constructed easily.
Situations when it is hard to transport pre-fabricated elements either due to
size or unreachability, this method is a good choice.
Different Cast-in-situ
methods
 Incremental launching method

 Balanced cantilever method

 Cast-in-Situ Post tensioned method

Incremental Launching
Method of Bridge
Construction
 Incremental Launching Method

• one in which cast in situ technique is adopted. It is highly mechanized

method which saves time and budget. It is generally preferred for the
construction of multi span post tensioned bridges.

• In this method, bridge piers are built first in required alignment. Then the
superstructure part to be built is dived into number of sections. Now an
area behind the one of those abutments is selected. In this stationary area,
a setup is made to cast the one section of bridge superstructure.
 For bridge decks greater than 250m in length, the method of incremental launching can be considered. With
this method of construction the bridge deck is built in sections by pushing the structure outwards from an
abutments towards the pier. It is most suited to the rapid construction of bridges with a constant radius of
curvature such as constant depth of box girder segments.

 The construction sequence begins behind one abutment where a highly mechanized prefabrication deck mold
is set up removing the need for temporary supports with this method. A rigid framework is then attached
enabling the production of cast-in-situ segments. In-situ deck segments range in length from 5m to 30m. when
each segment is complete it is placed on sliding bearings and pushed through into the span.

 A steel nose is also positioned at the front of the first span formwork. This allows for the necessary deck
cantilever length as the span approaches the first pier.

 Bridge decks of 1km can be built by this method with a rate of construction of 30m per week.
 After the casting of one section, it is pushed along the bridge axis
using jack system or friction launching system which is arranged
prior to the casting of structures.

 The presence of casting bed is on the ground which is easily

reachable so, this method provides better safety as well as reduces
the cost of transporting and lifting.
Balanced Cantilever
method
 What is balanced
Cantilever method of
Bridge Construction?
 Balanced Cantilever method

• It is considered advanced method of all construction techniques since it does not

require any temporary structures for support. The bridges of greater heights can
also be built using balanced cantilever method without falsework.
• Cast- in –place technique for balanced cantilever method of bridge construction
is preferred when the bridge is long and contains irregular span lengths. When
there are irregular span lengths then the depth of girder will vary for each span
length. The molding of girders of varying depth in different depth molds is
uneconomical. Hence, cast-in-situ method is preferred for this situation.
 At first piers are constructed which are fixed positions for cantilever
part. From fixed point, cantilever part is constructed without any
temporary support using staged cast-in-situ construction. This is
done on both sides of the piers so, it is called balanced cantilever
method of construction.
 The balanced cantilever method of bridge construction used for bridges with few spans ranging
from 50 to 250m. The bridge can be either cast-in-place or precast.

 the basic concept of balanced cantilever construction method is to attach the segments in an
alternate manner at opposite ends of cantilevers supported by piers.

 this method is easily adaptable to irregular and long span lengths, congested project sites, rough
and water terrain, rail crossings, and environmentally sensitive areas.

 it is highly suitable for building cable-stayed bridges. This is because once segments are placed,
they will be supported by new cable-stays in each erection stage. Therefore, no auxiliary supports
are required, and hence it is both economical and practical method for long cable-stayed bridges.
 Procedure for balanced cantilever method of cast-in-situ bridge
Construction

• After the construction of lower infrastructure of the bridge is completed.Bridge construction

begins at each pier. Special formwork is positioned and cast-in-situ pier segment is begun, The
complete pier segment is then used as an erection platform to support a form traveler for cast-in-
place segments.

• Thereafter, soffit shuttering, shuttering for web & deck shuttering is fixed on both sides of pier

• Then concreting is done on both sides of the pier . The segment production rate for form travelers
is usually one segment every 5 days per traveler.
 Cast-in-Situ Post
Tensioned Method
 Cast-in-Situ Post Tensioned Method
• more demanding method because of its durability and applicability to complex
bridge curves etc. In this method along with concrete and reinforcement, steel
strands or tendons are also used to introduce post tensioning.
• When the formwork is prepared, strands are arranged with in the
reinforcement and concrete is filled. After the hardening of concrete, the
strands which have been passed through the concrete are pulled by the jack up
to certain tensile force which was pre-determined. Now, the steel stands
should be locked.
 This type of construction increases the load
carrying capacity of bridge and improves the
durability of bridge. Post tensioning eliminates the
use of intermediate supports for long span bridges.
Advantages of Cast-in-
Situ Construction
Methods
 does not require any heavy lifting equipment or transporting
equipment

 superstructure is safe from transportation and lifting damages.

 best method to construct a bridge in Inaccessible areas.

Disadvantages of Cast-
in-Situ Construction
Methods
 It is time consuming as compared to precast construction methods.

 severe damage may occur to the unset concrete during flood

conditions.

 requires large number of workers and requires skilled supervision

 Precast Method of
Bridge Construction
 Precast Beams

 Precast beam decks are generally used for short span bridges ranging between
5m to 50m – these may be railway or motorway bridges. Standard inverted tee
beams or M-beams are chosen and positioned by crane.
 Precast Decks

• Precast deck construction is often used for the construction of long

viaducts. It is a time saving method which is beneficial for long bridges
where construction time for the final completion stage is tight.
 Precast Decks
 However, if this method of construction is chosen it is imperative that the
engineer has clearly organized the deck construction schedule. The speed
of this method depends on the timely delivery of prefabricated decks, the
engineer and deck contractor must set out a rate of construction which
allows the supplier to produce a sufficient decks to time while the deck
contractor must be ready to place and store decks on receipt of delivery.
 Precast segmental decks
 used for long bridges where the deck depth is difficult for cast in situ
construction. Box girder deck segments are generally used where the
segment can be 2m or less deep, between 2.5m and 4m long carrying a
deck upto 15m wide are generally used.

 Where in-situ post-tensioning is favoured the segments can be prestressed

either internally or externally. Internal tendons must be protected from
moisture attack.
 The rate of construction for internally prestressed segments is
considered to be a span per week. If externally prestressed tendons
are used it should be feasible to complete three spans per week.
Casting of precast
segments
 Two methods for precast segment casting which include:

• Short line method: In this rate of segment production is slow. Three or four
segments cast at a time.

• Long line method: In this rate of segment production is fast. Segments equal to
one span cast at a time.
Cast-in-Place Segments
Vs. precast segments
 Cast-in-place construction proves to be very beneficial when large, considerably heavy segments
are required to be constructed. So, instead of handling the segments, only materials have to be
transported thus influencing the type and size of required equipment.

 Alignment variations and corrections are more easily accommodated in cast-in-place

construction; but more corrections will probably be necessary. The increase in alignment
corrections for cast-in-place construction compared to precast construction relates directly to the
age of the concrete when loaded. By and large, the concrete is much younger when loaded in
cast-in-place construction
Span by Span Casting
method of Bridge
Construction
 Span by span is a relatively new construction technique historically associated with cantilever
construction but the advancement in external prestressing has enabled its own potential use to
grow. Today it is considered to be the most economic and rapid method of construction available
for long bridges and viaducts with individual spans upto 60m.
 Decks are begun at one abutment and constructed continuously by placing segments to the other
end of the bridge. Segments can be positioned by either a temporary staying mast system through
more commonly using an assembly truss.
 Before segments are placed the truss with sliding pads is braced over two piers. Depending on the
bridge location the segments are then transported by lorry or barge to the span under
construction. Each segment is then placed on the sliding pads and slid into its position. Once all
segments are in position the pier segment is then placed.
 The final stage is then begun by running longitudinal prestressing tendons through segments ducts
and prestressing entire span. Deck joints are then cast and closed and ducts grouted. When the
span is complete the assembly truss is lowered and moved to the next span where construction
cycle begins until the bridge is complete.
 Cable Stayed Method
of Bridge Construction
 The technique of cable-stayed construction has been used and continually developed over the last 50years. It
is the most common construction choice today when a bridge is required to span more than 300. Cable-stayed
bridges can be either concrete or steel though a combination of both materials is often chosen.

 For concrete cable stayed bridges free cantilever construction is considered economical. With this method the
deck segments can be either precast or cast-in-situ by travelling shutter arrangement. This is done by
transmitting the cable stay forces, through its extremeties, at it anchorage points. Stay cables are firmly
attached to the anchorages which are designed to resist the buckling forces of the loads.

 Detailing of all anchorages should allow for their safe construction and accessibility for inspection and
maintenance on completion. In concrete stay-cabled anchorages are placed under the deck.
Advantages:
• Faster construction time compared to other bridge type
• More rigid than suspension bridges
• Cost effective
• Flexible design

Disadvantages:
• Only suitable for short to medium distances( shorter span)
• Cables can be prone to corrosion and high levels of fatigue
• Not suitable for extreme climate conditions or earthquake prone areas
Arch Method of Bridge
Construction
 The arch is the most natural bridge shape in nature. Originally constructed of
stone, today such bridges are built of reinforced or precast concrete. They are
often the most economical choice where a bridge is required to cross over
inaccessible landscapes.

 The development of modern arch construction methods has made the use of
arch construction more economical by removing the need of expensive
centering formwork. Though abutments still must be well founded on rock or
soiled ground.
Advantages:
• Very strong
• Less force on abutments
• It can be built off site and transported into place

Disadvantages
• Regular maintenance is required to ensure the stability of the hangers and arch
• The size of each span is limited as compared with other bridge type
• Arches are typically more expensive to build than towers or pillars of other types of bridges of the
same length
Common Equipments involved in bridge construction
• Aerial Lifts
• Excavators
• Drones
• Backhoes
• Cranes
• Incremental Launching Machine
 Factors Affecting
Selection of Bridge
Construction Methods
Before a bridge can be built an appropriate method of construction must be chosen.
The decision is made by the design team. The principle factors considered by the
design team when choosing a suitable method of construction are given below:

 The scale of the bridge The local weather

 The obstacles to be crossed
 The regularity of the span
lengths
 The horizontal and vertical
profiles of the bridge decks
 The nature of the soil strata
The local cost of materials
The local labor markets
The accessibility of the site
The time allowed for
construction.
 RELATED ARTICLES
With the increasing span of cable stayed
bridges, the towers are getting higher and
higher, and the stiffening beams are
becoming more and more slender. increase
in span causes the axial pressure of the
beams and towers to increase rapidly, and
the sag effect of the cables, geometric
nonlinearity, and material nonlinear effects
are significantly increased.
Bridge collapse in the construction process is one
of the most common bridge accidents; we can see
the importance of construction to ensure bridge
safety. Site construction safety management
mainly relies on checklist evaluation, but the
evaluation results are often affected by the ability
and experience of the evaluator. Using an artificial
intelligence algorithm to realize rapid and
accurate risk assessment of the bridge
construction process is an effective way and
development direction to solve the above
problems.
FORMULA
References:
• https://theconstructor.org/structures/arch-method-of-bridge-construction/6120/?amp=1
• https://youtu.be/3_vwOGC2ZJ4
• https://youtu.be/K4xdgQmXS7U
• https://youtu.be/cxEd3sl969A
• https://youtu.be/S3Kf9e6JgF4
• https://youtu.be/GEYNHvxSk5g
• https://youtu.be/4AdIkMitaI4
• https://youtu.be/DmF_yOeYgcc
References:

• Wu, Y., & Lu, P. (2022). Comparative analysis and evaluation of bridge construction risk with
multiple intelligent algorithms. Mathematical Problems in
Engineering, 2022 doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2638273
• Zeng, Y., Wang, Y., Shi, Z., Tan, H., & Gu, A. (2022). Experimental study on stability of long-
span PC cable-stayed bridge during the construction periods. Advances in Civil
Engineering, 2022 doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8578684