Chapter 3

BRIDGE TYPES AND SELECTION

3.1 Types of Bridges

3.2 Selection of Bridges
 3.1 Types of Bridges
Bridges classified according to their superstructure
 Superstructure classified based on
 Material
 Span length
 Structural form
 Span types
 Load path characteristics
 Usage
 Position (movable bridges)
 Deck type (double deck and combination)
 3.1 Types of Bridges Cont’d . . .
Classification based on material
– Masonry (brick or rock)
– Steel
– Reinforced concrete (RC or PC)
– timber or aluminum bridges
– composite
Common practice based on span length
– Culverts <6m
– Short - span bridges 6-30m
– Medium-span bridges 30-100m
– Long-span bridges over 100
 Types of Bridges Cont’d . . .
Culvert
 3.1 Types of Bridges Cont’d . . .
Classification by Structural Form
 refers to the load resisting mechanism or load path of
a bridge (gravity and lateral load)
a) Slab-stringer bridges (stringers are longitudinal beams)
 deck slab supported on stringers (beams)

 The most basic types of bridge

 stringers: RC, PSC, steel (with I-shape or Rectangular)

 most suitable for short spans

 a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

 in medium and long span, slab-stringer supported on trusses,

arches, cables

 T- Girder and box girder type are common, which are

monolithically casted with deck

 Transfer loads by flexural action

a) Girder bridges Contd. . .
 a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Temcha river bridge – T-girder precast stringers and cast-in-situ slab bridge
a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Cross section of monolithically cast T-girder

Cross section of monolithically cast Box-girder

a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Steel Girder Bridge

 a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Girder Bridge
a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Pre-stressed I-Girder
 a) Girder bridges Contd. . .

Box Girder
b) Truss Bridges

 Used for longer spans than girder range (truss>92m span)

• When depth of girder bridge is not applicable due to
(fabrication, erection, transportation and economy)
 Trusses carry large load by virtue of truss action with small
amount of steel (members are subjected to direct stress only)
b) Truss Bridges Contd. . .
 b) Truss Bridges Contd. . .

Truss Type
 b) Truss Bridges Contd. . .

Truss bridge are also described by the position of deck as:

deck-truss, through-truss and half-through truss bridges

Deck Truss: Structural components under the deck

Through Truss: Structural components above the deck

b) Truss Bridges Contd. . .

New Orleans through truss bridge

 c) Truss bridges cont. . .

Advantages of truss bridge:

 Offer high strength and stiffness combined with low DL

 Construction in remote site which are not easily accessible

 Construction time reduced

Disadvantages:

 Affected by rust

 Prohibitively high life time cost (require regular periodic

maintanance)

 Quite expensive
d) Rigid Frame Bridges
 Superstructure supported on monolithic vertical or slanting legs
 Economical for moderate medium span lengths
 For v-shaped valleys with strong foundation (rock foundation)
 Both steel and concrete can be used
 e) Arch Bridges
 The oldest types of bridges
 Transfers loads to its foundation by pure compression
 Economical for medium and long spans
Classification of arches:
a) Nature of ribs: Solid Rib Arch or Truss Rib Arch

Example for truss rib arch

 e) Arch Bridges Contd. . .
c) Position of deck: Through Arch, Half through and Deck arch

Finote selam Through

– arch bridge

Abay Deck – arch bridge

 f) Cantilever Bridges

 Cantilever bridges were the solutions for large deflections caused

by heavy railway traffic on long span truss bridges in the late
1800s
 Consists of two simple spans (anchor spans), cantilever spans and
suspended span

• This arrangement results in substantial reduction of

moment in the suspended span
• Cantilever span can be constructed without false work
Cantilever Bridge Cont’d
 g) Cable Stayed Bridges
• Very competitive for medium and long spans
• Can be built with girders of either steel or prestressed concrete
• Superstructure is supported at several points by inclined cables
• The cables radiate from and continuous over the tower
• Aesthetically attractive
 h) Suspension Bridges
• Known to span the longest distance
• Cable profile is curved
• Consists of the towers, the anchorages, the cables and the deck
• The ends are secured at anchorages which built of massive masonry
or concrete
h) Suspension Bridges Contd. . .

• Akashi kaiko bridge

Main span 1990m with total length 3910m
h) Suspension Bridges Contd. . .

Suspension bridge
Cable stayed and suspension

The distinction between cable stayed and suspension bridges is

the profile of the cable:
Cable stayed: straight and extend from one or two tower
Suspension: curved and continuous between towers
Similarity:
 Both rely on very high strength steel cables
 Both provide solution to long span
 Both aesthetically good
 Classification by Span Types
• Simple span bridges
• Multiple simple span bridges
• Continuous span bridges (reduced weight, greater stiffness, smaller
deflection, fewer bearing and expansion joints)
Classification by Load Path Characteristics
• One dimensional system : slab bridges (one way slabs)
• Two dimensional system: slab-stringer bridges
Classification by Usage
Pedestrian, highway, railroad, canal or pipe bridges
  Classification by Position
• Most bridges are stationary
But some are made to be movable:
• To provide vertical clearance for navigable waterways
• When topography dictates that the roadway should be close to
the surface
• Three kinds
– Bascule bridge
– Lift bridge
– Swing bridge

 Classification by Life Span

• Permanent bridges
• Temporary bridges
 3.2 Selection of Bridge Type
 Selecting the type, size and location of the proposed
bridge based on economy, safety, serviceability and
aesthetics
Factors to be considered in Selection
a) Geometric Conditions of the Site
• the horizontal and vertical alignment of the highway route
• the clearances above and below the roadway
For example, on a curve, continuous box girder and slab bridges are
good choices because;
• they have a pleasing appearance
• they can readily be built on a curve, and
• have a relatively high torsional resistance
 Factors in Bridge Type Selection

b) Subsurface Conditions of the Site

 The soil type and its strength determine the type of footing under
abutment or piers which influences choice of substructure, which
in turn influences type of superstructure selected,
For instance,
– If settlement is a problem, the bridge type selected must be able
to accommodate the settlement
– rigid frame bridge requires strong foundation material
C) Functional Requirements
 The bridge must function to carry not only present but also
future volumes of traffic which affect;
 Number of lanes/volume of traffic, sidewalks and possibility of
future widening
 Factors in Bridge Type Selection
d) Aesthetics
– the bridge designer should strive to obtain a positive aesthetic
response from the public to the bridge type selected
– Harmonization of the structure with the given limited space
e) Economics and Ease of Maintenance
 a bridge with the minimum number of spans, fewest deck joints,
will be the most economical
 Minimizing the total project cost (design cost, construction cost
and maintanance cost)
 Generally concrete structures require less maintenance than steel
structures
f) Legal Considerations
 The requirements of environmental laws and other applicable
laws must be met
 3.2.2 Bridge Types for Different Span Lengths
• conducting comparative studies to find the bridge type best
suited to the site
a) Small Span Bridges (up to 15m)
– Culverts <6m, RC, steel. Structural form: pipe, pipe arch,
rigid frame box or slab box culverts
– Slab bridge about 6-11m span.
– T-girder bridges economical for 12-20m span.
– Rolled steel Girder Bridges: are simple to design and
construct. They can be economical up to 30m
 3.2.2 Bridge Types for Different Span Lengths

b) Medium Span Bridges (up to 50m)

– Cast in situ and Precast Concrete Box Girder

– Composite Rolled Steel Girder

– Composite Steel Plate Girder Bridges

– Cast in Place post Tensioned Concrete Box Girder Bridges

– Composite Steel Box Girder Bridges

 Box-Girder compared to T-Girder
Advantage:
• High stiffness against torsion
• Good option when building bridges that curve in plane
• The space enclosed within in the girder may be used for the
passage of services such as gas pipes, cables, other utilities
• Maintenance of box-girder can be easier
• Box-girders are generally aesthetic
Disadvantages:
• Difficult to cast in-situ
• Quite more expensive
• Higher construction cost
• Design part relatively complex
 3.2.2 Bridge Types for Different Span Lengths
c) Large Span Bridges (50-150m)
– composite steel plate girder
– cast in place post tensioned concrete box girder
– post tensioned concrete segmental bridges
– concrete and steel arch bridges, and
– steel truss bridges
 3.2.2 Bridge Types for Different Span Lengths
d) Extra Large (Long) Span Bridges (over 150m)
 Cable-stayed and suspension bridges are logical and efficient
choices for very long span bridges
3.2.3 Closing Remarks on Selection of Bridge Type
 There is no unique answer for selection of bridge types because,
Regional difference and preferences due to:
• Availability of materials
• skilled workers, and
• knowledgeable contractors
Bridge Types cont’d….

End of
Chapter
Three