Bahir Dar University

Faculty of Engineering
School of Civil & Water Resource Engineering

Course Guide Book

General

Title Fundamentals of Bridge Design

Course Code Ceng 5131
Credit Point 5CP
Instructor Name Tibebu Hunegn Birhane
Phone +251918161155
e-mail tibebegnaw@yahoo.com
Name Tibebu Hunegn Birhane
Tutor Phone
e-mail
Target Group 5th year civil engineering (Regular)
Year 2004 E.C.
Semester Autumn (September – January)
Contact Day Time Venue
Lecture Thursday 8:00 – 9:45AM NDB5
Tutorial/Lab. Tuesday 1:30 – 4:10PM NDB5
Consultation Tuesday 4:30 – 6:30PM NDD5
By appointment NDD5

Course Descriptions
The course is designed to present students about fundamental design principles of bridges
according to the current state-of-the-art (as per ERA 2002 bridge design specification
manual and AASHTO LRFD bridge design specification).

Course Objectives
Upon the completion of the course work, students:
 can identify the structural parts and appurtenances of bridges,
 know the selection criteria of bridge typologies for a specific problem,
 know how to estimate bridge loads resulting from gravity ( such as dead,
pedestrian and Vehicle loads), from water and Earth pressures, and from hazards
(such as Earthquakes and wind)
 can analyze approximately the distribution of loads-especially moving loads-
among different structural bridge components, and
 know how to design structural elements of RC bridges ( such as decks, bearings
and abutments)
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Ceng 5131 Fundamentals of Bridge Design 

Course Content & Schedule

The following topics will be covered in this coursework:

Chapter Content Methodology Time

1 Introduction  What is bridge?
 Historical development of bridges
 Past performances of bridges
 Bridge design philosophy
Assignment 1 (IL diagrams)  Reading 1 weeks
2 Bridge  Classification criteria: function,  Lecture
Typologies construction materials, span size, plan  Discussion
& Selection configuration & structural
Criteria configuration 2 weeks
 Selection Criteria: Aesthetics,
economy, constructability
Group Assignment 2 (seminar)
3 Preliminary  Roadway width  Reading
Design of  Clearances & span arrangements  Lecture
Bridges  Typical superstructure sections  Discussion
 Guardrails & curbs  Exercising 2 weeks
 Piers and Abutments
Group Assignment 3 (Term Project)
4 Approximate  Loads  Reading
Structural  Load factors & combinations  Lecture
Analysis of  Mathematical modeling  Discussion
Bridges  Approximate static analysis of decks  Exercising 3 weeks
for dead and moving loads
Mid Exam 1 week
5 Design of  Selection resistance & resistance
superstructur factors 3 weeks
e elements  Detailing provisions  Reading
 RC slab decks  Lecture
 RC Beam-slab decks  Discussion
6 Design of  Bearings  Exercising
Substructure  Piers 3 weeks
Elements  Abutments
Presentation (Term Project) 1 week
Final Exam

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Ceng 5131 Fundamentals of Bridge Design 

Bibliography
[1] American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. (2004).
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification (3 ed.). Washington D.C.
[2] Ethiopian Road Authority. (2008). ERA Bridge Design Manual-2002. Addis
Ababa.
[3] Tonias, D. E., & Zhao, J. J. (1995). Bridge Engineering: Design, Rehabiliation
and Maintenance of Modern Highway Briges. Los Angels: Mac Grew Hill
Campanies.
[4] Victor, D. J. (2007). Essentials of Bridge Engineering. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH
Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd.

Evaluation
All students are expected to abide by the code of conduct of students (article 166 and
1666.1.1 of The Senate Legislation of Bahir Dar University May20, 2005) throughout this
course.
 Academic dishonesty including cheating, fabrication and plagiarism is strictly
forbidden.
 A minimum of 85% of class attendance is mandatory to sit for exams.
 Cell phones MUST be turned off before entering the class for lectures and exams.

Evaluation (Tentative)
 Attendance, Class Participation & Quizzes (5%+5%+10%): Full attendance and
active class participation during discussions result in a maximum score of 10%.
Quizzes will be given during the coursework to evaluate the up-to-date
understanding of students.
 Assignments (5%+10%+25%): Collaboration and team works are encouraged to
conceptualize the general approaches to assignments. Feel free to discuss the
matter with your teammates and to consult the instructor. However, home-works
should be done and submitted individually. Reference any written source you use
in your submission. Well documented report should be submitted on time. Late
submission doesn’t have any grading.
 Exams (Mid - 15% & Final - 25%): All work on exams should be performed
individually. The exams are open book. Bring your own notes, manuals and any
textbook into the examination. Sharing materials during exams results in
dismissal of both from exam hall.

Cheeked & Approved by:

Title Name Signature
Course Chair Tibebu H. Birhane
School Program Management and Marketing Yimer Degu
School Director Chalachew A.

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