National institute of technology, Kurukshetra.

Classification of
bridges

Bridge Engineering Unit-2

Dr. H K Sharma
1. Classification of bridges-
Bridges can be classified into various types depending upon the following
factors:

a) Materials used for construction- Bridges may be classified as timber bridges,

masonry bridges, steel bridges, R.C.C. bridges, pre-stressed bridges, composite
bridges, and aluminium bridges.
b) Alignment- Bridges, under this category, can be classified as straight or a skew
bridge.
c) Location of bridge floor- According to the position of bridge floor relative to the
superstructure as deck, through, half through, or suspended bridges etc.
d) Purpose- Bridge can be classified as aqueduct, viaduct, highway bridges, railway
bridges and foot bridges etc.
e) Nature of superstructure action- Portal frame bridge, truss bridge, balanced
cantilever bridge, and suspension bridge.
f) Position of high flood level- According to the road level relative to highest flood level
of the river below, particularly for a highway bridge, as high level or submersible
bridges.
g) Life- bridges may be classified as permanent or temporary bridges.
h) Loadings- road bridges and culverts have been classified by IRC into class A-A, class
A, class B bridges according to loading they are designed to carry.
i) Fixed or Movable- for navigable channels where-
a. Sufficient waterway cannot be,
b. Bascule bridges,
c. Lift bridges.
j) Span length-

a. Types b. Span length( in mtr)

Culvert Less than 8 m
Minor bridges 8 to 30 m
Major bridges Above 30 m
Long bridges Above 120 m
k) Degree of redundancy-
a. Determinate bridges
b. Indeterminate bridges
l) Types of connection- Accordingly, steel bridges can be classified as pinned
connected, riveted or welded bridges.

2. Components of a bridge-
The main parts of a bridge structure are as below:

I. Decking consisting of a slab, girders, trusses etc.

 II. Bearings for the decking.
III. Abutment and piers.
IV. Foundations for abutment and piers.
V. River training works like revetment for slopes at abutment, aprons at bed level etc.
VI. Approaches to the bridges to connect bridge proper to the roads on either side and
VII. Handrails, guard stones etc.

The components of bridge can splits up in to three parts, namely, foundation,

substructure and superstructure. The components above the level of bearings are grouped
as superstructure while the parts below the bearings are classed as substructure.

Requirements to fulfil the three criteria of efficiency, effectiveness, and equity:

I. It serves the intended function with utmost safety and convenience.

II. It is aesthetically sound.
III. It is economical.

In order to ensure uniformity of practice, IRC has evolved following

comprehensive and exhaustive codes;
1. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅰ,
General features of design, 1970.
2. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅱ, Loads
and stresses, IRC: 6-1969.
3. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅲ–
cement concrete (plain and reinforced) IRC: 21-1966.
4. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅳ, Bricks,
stone and block masonry, IRC: 40-1970.
5. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅴ, Steel
road Bridges, IRC: 24-1967.
6. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅵ,
composite construction for road culverts and medium span bridges IRC: 22-1966.
7. IRC “standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges” section Ⅶ, code
for foundations and sun structures.

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