TS&L Considerations for Long Span Viaducts in

Urban or Pre-Urban Environments

Presented by
Patrick D. Montemerlo, PE
Joel B. Tubbs, PE, SE
 Introduction

There has always

been a need to get
people and services
long distances at
elevation

There was a time we

could build our cities
around existing
infrastructure
 Introduction

Older transportation viaducts take up a lot valuable right of

way disrupting future development
Visual aesthetics may not well characterize the
personalities of growing cities.
 Introduction

We now live in an age of greater physical constraints and

growing pressure to improve infrastructure without impacting
existing users
 Introduction

We are here to knock down preconceived notions of long

elevated structures and to provide TS&L considerations for the
development of transportation plans which include
roadway and LRT in growing urban areas minimizing
disturbance to existing infrastructure
Overview
Structure Layout
Design Considerations of Bridge Elements
Geometry Capabilities
Construction Considerations
Overview
Durability of Bridge Elements
Aesthetic Considerations
Economic and Cost Considerations
 Structure Layout
Layout considerations
Site conditions
Bent locations and
required span lengths
Vertical Alignment
Horizontal alignment Photo from Google Earth

Photo from Google Earth

 Structure Layout
Bent location considerations
Proximity to facilities
Right of way
Span length limitations
Constructability
Required clearances
Environmental concerns
Photo from Google Earth
Design Considerations - Substructure
Caps and Pier Tops
Number of Girder
Lines
Load Distribution to
Girders
Geometry with
Hammer Heads or
Straddle Bents over
Roadways
Design Considerations - Substructure
Columns
Single Columns
Double Columns for
Straddle Bents
Design Considerations - Foundations
Foundations
Monoshafts
Multiple Piles/Shafts
Pile Caps
Underground Utilities
 Geometry - Superstructure
Segmental Superstructure Capabilities
Segmental Box Girders
One Girder for Multiple Lanes
 Geometry - Superstructure
Concrete Girder Superstructure Capabilities
Straight Precast Girders
Minimum Two Girder Lines for I-Girders
Geometry - Superstructure
Curved Superstructure Capabilities
Curved Box Girders
Curved I-Girders
 Geometry - Superstructure

Segmental Box Girder Superstructure Capabilities

Accommodation
of Horizontal
Curvature

Very High
Torsional
Capabilities
 Geometry - Superstructure
Segmental Box Girder Superstructure Capabilities
Able to Adapt to Changes in Roadway Geometry
Highly Variable Wing Lengths
 Geometry - Superstructure
Concrete Girders Have Geometric Limitations
Straight Concrete Girders Require Large Horizontal Radii
Smaller Radii Typically Requires Different Superstructure Type
Geometry - Substructure
Segmental Girder
Capabilities
Relatively Close
Bearing Offsets
Typically Larger
Bearing Loads
Geometry - Substructure
I-Girder or Curved Girder Capabilities
Relatively Wide Bearing Offsets
Typically Smaller Bearing Loads
Construction - Precasting
Girder Casting Yards
Common in Many Regions
Competitive Bidding
 Construction - Precasting
Girder Casting Yards
Adaptable to Small Volume Needs
Generally Simple Casting Yard Geometry Control
 Construction - Precasting
Precast Segmental Girder
Casting Yards
Typically Project Specific
Large Initial Investment
may be Required
Construction - Precasting
Precast Segmental Girder Casting Yards
Precise Casting Yard Geometry Control
Increased Storage Capabilities with Stacking
Construction - Transport
Precast Girders Trucks
Long and Typically Require Two Trailers per Girder
Construction - Transport
Segmental Precast Girders
Trucks
Compact and Typically Only One
Trailer Needed per Segment
Girder and Deck Delivered
Construction - Transport
Escort from Casting Yard
Necessary for Girders
Often Not Necessary for Light Rail
Precast Segmental Segments
Construction - Transport
Delivery
Precast Segments Often Fast Off the Truck
Ground or Bridge based Cranes
 Construction - Erection
Setting of Girders
Careful Coordination Typically Required when using Two
Cranes
Construction - Erection
Setting of Segments
Able to Erect Segment
with One Crane or Gantry
Gantry Typically Large
Dollar Item
 Construction - Erection
Final Placement
Girders Typically have Greater Placement Tolerances
Match-Cast Segmental Faces Require more Precise Placement
Construction - Schedule
Precasting/Fabrication
Precast Girders 5 to 7 Girders Per Week Per Casting Bed
Precast Segments 1 Segment Per Day Per Casting Bed
Steel Girders 1 Girder Per Week Per Fabrication Line
 Construction - Schedule
Erection
Precast Girders:
2 to 3 Spans
of Girders Per
Day
Precast
Segments:
2 to 3 Span
Lines of
Segments Per
Week Per
Truss/Gantry
Construction - Schedule
Overall Schedule
Precast Segment Casting Yard Can Take Months to Setup
Girders can begin Production Quickly at Establish Plant
 Construction - Schedule
Overall Schedule
Once Precast Segments are In-Place, the span is complete.
Precast Girders Still Need Deck Cast After Erection.
Construction - Schedule

Overall Schedule
Shorter
Bridge/Viaducts
Favors Typical
Girders
Longer Bridge/
Viaducts Favors
Segmental
Girders
Durability
Long Term Performance - Girders
Precast Girders Require Little Maintenance
Steel Girders Require Special Inspections and
Possibly Repainting
Durability
Long Term Performance Segmental
Segmental Girders Require Little Maintenance
May Require Special Inspection of External Post-
Tensioning
Aesthetics
Visual Continuity - Girders
Depending on Curve Geometry and Span Lengths, Different
Types of Girders May be Required.
Aesthetics
Visual Continuity - Segmental
Same Segmental Box can be Used for All Necessary
Geometry and Span Lengths
 Aesthetics
Superstructure to Substructure
Visual Interaction
Aesthetics
Structural Transitions
Segmental Girders Tend to Have Smoother Transitions
Through Wing Length Variations.
Girders Typically Require Girders to Be Added or Removed.
Aesthetics
Visual Environment and Surroundings - Girders
Aesthetics
Visual Environment and Surroundings - Segmental
Economics and Cost Considerations
Initial Cost Considerations
Contractor Experience
Prefabrication
Construction Staging
Construction Schedule
Economics and Cost Considerations
Right-of-Way
Permanent Right-of-Way
Temporary Construction
Access
Superstructure Erection
Conclusion
Structure Layout
Design Considerations of
Bridge Elements
Geometry Capabilities
Construction Considerations
Durability of Bridge Elements
Aesthetic Considerations
Economic and Cost
Considerations
Conclusion
Which is Preferred?
Evaluate the Total
Project
Consider All Stakeholders
Project Decision Matrices
TS&L Considerations for Long Span Viaducts
in Urban or Pre-Urban Environments

QUESTIONS?
Presented by
Patrick D. Montemerlo, PE
Joel B. Tubbs, PE, SE