Pacil, Ralph Christian E.

February 5, 2020
CE133-3 – A06
RESEARCH WORK

1. Discuss the advantages of using structural steel in the construction of bridges.

Decreased Weight—One of the biggest advantages of steel is weight savings, which means
lower erection costs, since the bridge pieces can be handled with lighter equipment. In addition,
for the same span and load, a steel girder requires less depth than a concrete girder, which can be
helpful when constrained by vertical clearance requirements.
Faster Erection—Steel components are made to closer tolerances, which often translates into
faster erection.
Lighter Foundations—If the substructure and superstructure are designed properly, the lighter
weight of steel will allow lighter foundations than for concrete.
Structural Efficiency—Generally, it’s easier to make spans continuous for both live and dead
loads and to develop composite action with steel designs rather than with concrete ones.
2. Compare and contrast the different types of structural steel used in the construction of bridges.
Carbon steels - steel in which the main alloying element is carbon, and whose properties are
chiefly dependent on the percentage of carbon present.
High strength low alloy steels - is a type of alloy steel that provides better mechanical
properties or greater resistance to corrosion than carbon steel.
Forged steels - is an alloy of carbon and iron that is compressed under extreme pressure to
make a very hard and strong substance. It has been used for thousands of years to create all
types of materials. Modern forged steel is conducted using specialized machines or hydraulic
hammers. There are many things to take into consideration when understanding the benefits of
forged steel.
3. Discuss the classification of bridges according to type of traffic carried, position of the
carriage way relative to the main structural system and span length.
Classification based on type of traffic
Highway or road bridges - are designed for vehicle load, pedestrian load, and other loads, while
a railway bridge is built mainly for carrying railroad traffic, either cargo or passenger.
Railway or rail bridges - are bridges shared by road and rail lines. Road and rail may be
segregated so that trains may operate at the same time as cars (e.g., the Sydney Harbour Bridge). 
Classification based on the main structural system
Girder bridges - Flexure or bending between vertical supports is the main Structural action in
this type. Girder bridges may be either solid web girders or truss girders or box girders. Plate
girder bridges are adopted for simply supported spans less than 50 m and box girders for
continuous spans up to 250 m.
Rigid frame bridges - In this type, the longitudinal girders are made structurally continuous
with the vertical or inclined supporting member by means of moment carrying joints. Flexure
with some axial force is the main forces in the members in this type. Rigid frame bridges are
suitable in the span range of 25 m to 200 m.
Arch bridges - The loads are transferred to the foundations by arches acting as the main
structural element. Axial compression in arch rib is the main force, combined with some
bending. Arch bridges are competitive in span range of 200 m to 500 m.
Cable stayed bridges - Cables in the vertical or near vertical planes support the main
longitudinal girders. These cables are hung from one or more tall towers, and are usually
anchored at the bottom to the girders. Cable stayed bridges are economical when the span is
about 150 m to 700 m.
Suspension bridges - The bridge deck is suspended from cables stretched over the gap to be
bridged, anchored to the ground at two ends and passing over tall towers erected at or near the
two edges of the gap. Currently, the suspension bridge is best solution for long span bridges. Fig.
6 shows a typical suspension bridge.
Classification of bridges based on the position of carriageway
Deck type bridge - The carriageway rests on the top of the main load carrying members. In the
deck type plate girder bridge, the roadway or railway is placed on the top flanges. In the deck
type truss girder bridge, the roadway or railway is placed at the top chord level.
Through type bridge - The carriageway rests at the bottom level of the main load carrying
members. In the through type plate girder bridge, the roadway or railway is placed at the level of
bottom flanges.
Semi through type bridge - The deck lies in between the top and the bottom of the main load
carrying members. The bracing of the top flange or top chord under compression is not done and
part of the load carrying system project above the floor level as shown in. The lateral restraint in
the system is obtained usually by the U-frame action of the verticals and cross beam acting
together.
Classification of bridges based on span length
Culvert bridge - When the bridge span length is below 6meters then it is called as Culvert
Bridge.
Major bridge - For major bridge, the span is generally about 30 to 120 meters.
Long span bridge - When the span of bridge is more than 120 meters then it is termed as long
span bridge.