11 Movable Bridges Unique Challenges

MOVABLE
BRIDGES – Presented to:

ACEC-IL IDOT Bridge Seminar
UNIQUE 9/12/2018
10/17/2018
CHALLENGES Presented by:
Jamal Grainawi, SE, PE
Ahmad Hammad, Ph.D, SE, PE
Patrick Laux, SE, PE
Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

2018 ACEC-IL / IDOT Bridge Seminar
Agenda
• Types of Movable Bridges
• Bascule Bridge Design
• Bridge Balance
• Loads
• Deck Systems
• Unique Challenges
• Inspection
• Design/Rehab
• Construction

Historical Context
• Movable Bridges: • It originated in
Bridges that can be medieval Europe,
opened to allow probably Normandy, as
passage of a a defensive feature of
waterborne vessel. castles and towns. It
Either a drawbridge, a was operated by a
vertical-lift bridge, a counterweight and
floating bridge, or a winch. The drawbridge
swing (pivot) bridge. that formed one span
The drawbridge, or of Old London Bridge
bascule, is the best
known.

Types of Movable Bridges
• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
• Floating Bridges –
Pontoon
• Submersible bridge
• Retracting Bridges
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

Swing Bridges
Types:
• Center Bearing
• Rim Bearing
• Combined Bearing
• Equal Length Arms
• Bobtailed Spans
• Single or Double-
Swing-Span bridges

Swing Bridges
Advantages:
• Unlimited Vertical
Clearance
• Low Profile
• Relatively Small Piers
• Fixed bridge when
closed
• Dead Load is Balanced
about Center Support
for Equal Length Arms
– CWT is not required

Swing Bridges
Disadvantages:
• Hazards to Navigation
• Need to Protect
Superstructure
• Pivot Pier in the Center of
the Channel
• Greater ROW Required
• Difficult Phased
Construction
• Disruptions to Traffic
(Future Rehabilitation)

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

Vertical Lift Bridges
Advantages:
• First Cost
• Simplicity
• More Efficient at
Longer Spans

Advantages:
• Wider Channel
• Limited Land
Acquisition
• Extra Bridges
• Much More Rigid
• Faster Operation than
Swing Bridges

Disadvantages:
• Restricted Vertical
Clearance
• Highest Cost
(Maintenance)
• High Profile (Tall
Towers)

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

• Drawbridge
• Bascule
• Swing
• Vertical Lift
Pontoon
• Folding Bridges
• Curling Bridge
• Fan Bridge
• Tilt Bridge

Types of Bascule Bridges

Bascule Bridges
Trunnion Type
CL Bascule Girder
Hub
Backing
CL Bearing Ring CL Bearing
Bronze
Bushing

Bascule Bridges
Rolling-lift “Scherzer”

Bascule Bridges
• Single-leaf
• Double-leaf
• Double-Deck

Bascule Bridges
• Counterweight below
Deck / Roadway
• Overhead
Counterweight

Bascule Bridges
• Open Pier
• Closed Pier

Bascule Bridges
Different Drive Systems:
• Hydraulic systems
• Mechanical drive:
electric motors with
gears

Bascule Bridges
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Provides Unlimited • Operational problems
Vertical Clearance can occur due to span
• Economical for Most imbalance
Waterways • Keeping counterweight
• Fastest Operation pit dry
• The leaf when open • Center locks, tail locks
acts as a barrier & • Staged construction
protect traffic • Span limitation - 200 ft.
for single-leaf & 350 ft.
for double-leaf bridges.
Bascule Bridge Design

Codes:
• AASHTO LRFD Movable
Highway Bridge Design
Specification, 2nd
Edition - 2007 with
Interims through 2015
• AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Specifications -
Customary U.S. Units-
8th Edition - 2017
• Local DOT Applicable
Manuals

Unique Features: • Trunnion
• Support Configuration • A rear live load anchorage
• Framing Configuration • A forward live load bearing
• Span Balance • Center lock
• Operational Clearances
• Loading

Span Balance:

Span Balance:
• Reduce Operational Loads
• Positive Reaction on Live
Load Shoe approx. 1.5 kips
per Girder (Tip-heavy)
• Assist in Lowering the Leaf
• Allow for Vertical and
Horizontal Adjustment

Span Balance: • Typical Counterweights
• Counterweights: weigh 3-4x more than
• Reinforced Concrete; the weight of the
Heavyweight Concrete; movable span
Balance Blocks or Steel • Adjustment Pockets
Ballast / Steel
• Design new bascule
Transition Slabs (10-
14T) bridges such that the
center of gravity may
be adjusted vertically
and horizontally

Span Balance: • Leaf Heavy in the
• Mechanical Drive Closed Position and Tail
Heavy in the Fully Open
• C.G. of the Leaf is Position.
located Forward of the
Trunnion and Located
at an Angle < 20
Degrees above or
below a Horizontal Line
through Trunnion.

Operational Clearances: • Due to the path they
• Face to Face Fender travel, bascule bridges
System typically present the
most challenging
• US Coast Guard clearance issues to
Requirements designers.
• Vertical Clearance
• Horizontal Clearance

Loading-Dead Loads: • Span Balance – Leaf
• All Dead Load is Carried Heavy
by Trunnion or Track
Girders
• Deck Dead Load W/
Leaf in Open Position
• Operational Dead Load
Impact
• Leaf Cantilevered from
Trunnion w/ Leaf in Any
Position

Loading-Wind Loads: • Leaf Cantilevered from
• Wind Loads w/ Leaf Trunnion w/ Leaf in Any
Raised (Open) Position (on projected
Area)
• Leaf Normally Closed
• Leaf Normally Open
• Wind Loads w/Leaf
Closed –As Fixed Bridge
- per AASHTO Std.
Specs. or LRFD Specs.

Loading-Live Loads:
• Live Load and Impact
(per AASHTO)
• Twice Normal Impact
for End Floor Beams
• Simple Distribution of
Loads from Deck to
Stringers to Floor
Beams to Main Girders
• Center Lock Transfer
Live Loads

Element Design: • Span Balance
• Deck, Sidewalk & Traffic (Counterweight Elements),
Barrier Center & Tail locks
• Superstructure – • Pier protection cell and
Stringers, floor beams/ fender system
SW Brackets CWT.
girders, main girders/
trusses and towers
• Substructure &
Foundation
• Bridge House

Deck and Sidewalk Design: • Add minimal wind load
• Allow safe passage of on raised leaf
vehicular and pedestrian • Require no complex
traffic details for securing to
• Withstand repeated 75 floor framing section
degree rotation
• Add minimal weight to
the movable span (1 lb.
of deck weight requires
approx. 3 lbs. of
counterweight)

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• Half-Filled Deck
• Solid Bridge Deck
• Exodermic / Concrete
• FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced
Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Sandwich Plate System
• Timber

Open Steel Deck • Can be attached to
Advantages: framing while the
bridge in open or
• Most common type for closed position
movable bridge
decking • No drainage needed on
the bridge
• Light weight, low wind
resistance, and
moderate cost
• Simple details

Open Steel Deck • Internally Welded
Disadvantages: grating
• Poor ride quality and • Connections to
poor skid resistance Stringers
• High noise levels
• Openings allow
chloride and debris
to accumulate on the
floor system
• Fatigue Prone

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Half-Filled Steel Deck • Bicyclists friendly
Advantages: surface
• Provides a solid driving • Can be pre-cast (half
surface, better skid filled in shop)
resistance and better • Can be attached to
riding surface framing while the
• Protects floor system bridge in open or
from chloride and closed position
debris run-off
• Less noise than open
grid deck

Half-Filled Steel Deck • Poor performance of
Disadvantages: concrete fill due to poor
consolidation in small,
• More costly than open shallow spaces in gird
steel deck
• Complex deck joints to
• More wind resistant seal out the water
and three times
heavier than open steel
deck
• Requires deck drain
system

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Exodermic Deck • Composite action -
Advantages: allows long spans to be
used
• Provides a solid riding
surface and good skid • Cross slope can be used
resistance on the bridge to allow
for a better drainage
• Protects floor system
from chloride and • Can be attached to
debris run-off framing while the
bridge in open or
• Low noise level closed position
• Bicyclists friendly
surface
Exodermic Deck • Concrete can only be
Disadvantages: cast in place while the
bridge in the closed
• More costly than open position
or half-filled grid deck
• 17% heavier than half-
filled grid deck
• Larger framing,
counterweight, and
machinery

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

FRP Deck • Light weight - less than
Advantages: open steel deck and
20% of concrete deck
• Provides a solid riding
surface and good skid • Rapid, cost-effective
resistance construction: only light
equipment used
• Protects floor system
from chloride and
debris run-off
• Low noise level

FRP Deck • Ease of transport and
Advantages (cont.): handling
• Corrosion-resistant: • The FRP panels can be
better suited to de- attached to the framing
icing chemicals while the bridge in the
open or closed position
• Factory fabrication
• High-quality
manufacturing process
• Can be molded to any
shape

FRP Deck • Lack of Structural
Disadvantages: Engineers &
Contractors
• Cost is higher than experienced using FRP
other solid deck
• New Material –
• Some issues with the damage due to sudden
connections of the FRP impact?
panels to the steel
structure

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Orthotropic Deck:
• Flat, thin steel plate
stiffened by a series of
closely spaced
longitudinal ribs at
right angles to the floor
beams
Advantages:
• The deck acts integrally
with the steel
superstructure

Orthotropic Deck • Prefabricated and lightweight
component; can be built
Advantages: quickly
• An orthotropic deck • Another potential advantage is
becomes the top flange lower life-cycle costs.
of the entire floor • Provides a solid riding surface
system and good skid resistance
• Lowest self-weight of • Protects floor system from

chloride and debris run-off
solid decks results in
• Low noise level
cost saving for
foundations, motors, • Can be attached to framing
while the bridge in open or
CWT., etc. closed position

Orthotropic Deck • Refined Analysis is
Disadvantages: needed
• In the past: – • Wearing Surface
Orthotropic deck were Performance
not covered by most • Fatigue Crack Issues
bridge design codes. • Higher Initial Cost
Now:- Manual for
Design, Construction
and Maintenance of
Orthotropic Steel Deck
Bridges, FHWA, 2012

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Aluminum Deck • Low temp. toughness
Advantages: • Ideal for bridges and
• 80% lighter than other highway structures
concrete in cold weather climates
• Increased bridge width • Rapid, cost-effective
and capacity construction: no
formwork or extensive
• Corrosion-resistant: cure time, as with
better suited to de-icing concrete
chemicals
• Short downtime for deck
• Requires no painting and replacement
minimal maintenance
Aluminum Deck • Requires Teflon pads
Disadvantages: between the aluminum
and the steel stringers
• Connection to steel to isolate due to
framing dissimilar metal
• Different thermal corrosion
expansion rates • The creep in the Teflon
between aluminum would not allow friction
and steel bolts to stay tight –
thus the panels would
rattle or slip when the
leaf rotated

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Sandwich Plate System • Works compositely
Advantages: with the bridge
superstructure
• 70% lighter than
concrete • Rapid, cost-effective
construction: no
• Extending the life of formwork or extensive
deficient bridges by cure time, as with
reducing the dead load concrete
• These prefabricated • Impact Resistance
components allow
short downtime for
deck replacement

Sandwich Plate System
Disadvantages:
• As with other bridge
deck systems, the SPS
system does come with
some disadvantages:
• High Initial Cost
• There are no design
standards for an SPS
bridge deck system

Deck Types:
• Open Steel Deck
• FRP (Fiberglass
Reinforced Polymer)
• Orthotropic
• Aluminum
• Timber

Deck Joints:
• Center / Rear Joints

Pier Protection Cell & • Angle of approach
• Impact velocity normal to
Fender Systems: fender
• The purpose of the • Hydraulic effect
Fender system is to • Fender design & Type
absorb the energy of

the ship impact
• The total energy
depends on:
• The size of vessel in
displacement tons

Pier Protection Cell &
Fender Systems (cont.):
• D-Shaped Fenders

Pier Protection Cell &
Fender Systems (cont.):

Bridge House Design:
• Design of control
houses should comply
with the Building Code
& OSHA requirements
• Consideration should
be given to lines of
sight form control
station during column
sizing and spacing

Inspection Challenges

Codes/References:
• Movable Bridge Inspection,
Evaluation, and Maintenance
Manual, 2nd Ed. (MBI)
• Updated 2016 by WSP under
NCHRP Project 14-32
• AASHTO Manual for Bridge
Element Inspection, 1st Edition,
with 2015 Interim Revisions
• Local DOT Applicable Manuals

Method of Inspections:
• Bridge closure is required
• Using man-lift on a barge or
snooper is expensive
• Limited access to elements
•

Inspection Challenge
• Access to bridge elements
• Vandalism

Design/Rehab Challenges

Existing Mechanical/
Structural Components:
• Some elements are
encased in concrete,
presenting rehabilitation
challenges
• Replacing elements in
stages also a challenge
• Access to elements
• Missing existing bridge
plans/data

Safety/OSHA
Requirements:
• Existing elements are
difficult to update to
current standards:
• Ladders and handrails
• Room clearances
• Hatches
• Stairways
• Existing bridge house
lack space to update
equipment

Remote Bridge A bascule bridge in a NYC
Operation: borough has no visual on
• With self-driving cars and the bridge, but relies on
now trucks, owners are CCR for remote operation
interested in remote
operation of movable WisDOT, DelDOT, NJDOT
bridges. are working on remote
• A consideration for low- operating systems
demand sites
• US Coast Guard has
reservations about
systems

Barrier Gate Crash
Testing:
• Take precaution in
plans and specs. when
crash testing is
required of gates
• Recommend separate
pay item if testing in
accordance with MASH
is required due to high
cost

Construction Challenges

Fit-up Issues:
Field verification of
• Shop Drawings are
dimensions likely required
most accurate source
of information but are
not always available
• Section sizes may have
changed since bridge
was constructed

Condition of fasteners:
• Are fasteners to
mechanical equipment
original or previously
replaced?
• Can they be re-used?
• What if turned bolts
cannot be removed by
industry acceptable
practices?

Unit Prices: Specifications:
• Unit price of Structural • Writing specification is
Steel is higher than more complicated:
that of fixed bridge: • Lack of standard specs.
• Complex repairs may • Unique elements, limited
require large quantity of manufacturers
rivets and temporary • Buy America waiver from
supports or shoring FHWA?
• Unit prices of
mechanical and
electrical components

Contractor Lack of
Familiarity with Movable
Bridges
• Contractor removed
steel stringers in a
manner that subjected
elements to additional
loads
• Maintaining Bridge
Balance using Roadway
Barriers attached to
truss members

Contractor Lack of
Bridges (cont.)
• Contractor installed
excessive shims for deck.
Result: the bridge required
more counterweight than
anticipated.
• Shims/additional
counterweight were paid
at high A.U.P.

Contractor Lack of
Bridges (cont.)
• Level of precision – Live
Load Bearing Gap &
Center lock

“Approved Equal”
• A generic design was
provided but detailed with
parts typically associated
with one manufacturer.
• The Contractor used a
different manufacturer
which was approved, but
the system lacked all the
parts anticipated and
required special design

Bridge Balancing
If significant
• Usually assume bridge is
balanced at onset counterweight material is
expected, recommend
• Span balance throughout using weight “pounds” as
stages of construction: strain
gaging with calculations –
pay item unit
still can result in final
imbalance
• Understanding wind
requirements (anemometer)
in specifications can
complicate testing

Other issues: • Pack rust complicates
• Companies providing installation of elements
warranties for systems • Limits of painting
could be out of • Confirm clearances to
business top-of-deck from
• Shaft tolerances/fit-up stringers
and initial condition
• Excessive corrosion
from unused racks
when bridge doesn’t
open fully – added
maintenance cost

Other issues:
• Temperature changes
will affect the alignment
& clearance associated
with the movable span
• As a bascule leaf warms up, the
tip may deflect
• As the bridge warms, the
towers may lean in towards
the movable span and reduce
the operating clearances and
possibly jam the span

Additional Reference Source
https://www.linkedin.com
/groups/2120061

Thank you
Questions?
Jamal.Grainawi@wsp.com


11 Movable Bridges Unique Challenges

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MOVABLE

BRIDGES – Presented to:

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

• Lowest self-weight of • Protects floor system from

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges

Movable Bridges – Unique Challenges