BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

by:
Associate Professor Dr. Narimah Kasim
 BRIDGE
Infinity Bridge, Stockton-On-Tees,
United Kingdom
Contents
• Introduction
• Type of Bridge
• Elements of Bridge
• Bridge Construction (Group Project)
Introduction
• Bridges are among the world’s beautiful structures.
• Inspire poets and artists, and features prominently in movies
and television shows.
• Challenge architects and engineers to come with more and
more interesting designs.
• Scientists invent better materials and mathematicians devise
safer and more accurate methods of analysis.
• Bridges have come a long way from simply people across
obstacles.
Introduction (continued)
Bridge Definition
• A bridge is any structure having a “span”, which permits passage
over an obstacle such as:
 Waterways (such as rivers and bays)
 Highways
 Railroads
 Pedestrian walkways
 Chasms, gullies and canyons
 Airport Runways
Introduction (Continued)
Bridge Subsystems
The bridge subsystem is all part of the bridge consisting 3 basic parts:
Superstructure (upper portion)
Superstructure is the most visible part of the bridge
When bridges are classified into different “types” it is usually based upon
the characteristics of the superstructure.
Substructure (lower portion)
Substructure is the “lower portion”.
It is the part that supports the superstructure and holds it in possible,
keeping it from sinking into the ground or tipping over.
Foundation
The invisible portion is completely buried in the ground, supporting the
substructure’s elements.
Introduction (Continued)
Choice of Bridge System
• The important factor is the clear span of the bridge.
• If the span is over 300 meters – the steel bridge construction is suitable.
• Concrete arch bridges – 305 meters span.
• Steel bridge construction may be a cantilever girder, arch, or suspension.
• The cantilever form has great advantages in erection since the cantilever arms can be built
without centering and the center sections of the span can be floated out and lifted into
position.
• The arch form is very suitable for spans of 500 meters but is more difficult to construct.
• The arch can be built as a cantilever but requires extensive back-anchoring which is very
costly.
• Suspension bridges are the best-known form for spans over 600 meters.
• The high-tensile strength of cable wire produces a very economical design solution compared
with other support forms.
Introduction (Continued)
Choice of Bridge System
•In general, for a given span loads the main girder weight decreases in the following order –
cantilever, arch, suspension.
•However, in terms of cost:
•Cantilevers bridge – the cheapest (foundation are simple and only resist vertical loading)
•Suspension bridge – very extensive and costly
•Small span bridges, up to 300 meters span, may be formed in steel, concrete, or other material
suitable for the span and load.
•In particular, steel box-girder construction and pre-stressed concrete box-girders have produced
economic solutions.
•Many modern road bridges, especially ‘overbridges’ (carrying a minor road over a major road)
have been formed as simple cantilevers carrying center beams.
•The most economical solution, depending on span and aesthetics, has proved to be a combination
of in-situ concrete and pre-stressed units.
Type of Bridge
• Suspension Bridge (Jambatan Gantung)
• Beam Bridge (Jambatan Rasuk)
• Arch Bridge (Jambatan Arch)
Suspension Bridge
Suspension Bridge
• A suspension bridge is one where cables (or ropes or chains) are strung
across the river (or whatever the obstacle happens to be) and the deck is
suspended from the cables.

• Modern suspension bridges have two tall towers through which the cables
are strung.

• Thus the towers are supporting the majority of the roadway weight.

• The suspension bridge can span 2000 to 7000 feet, way farther than any
type of bridge.

• Most suspension bridges have a truss system beneath the roadway to resist
bending and twisting.
Suspension Bridge (continued)
Suspension Bridge (continued)
Suspension Bridge (continued)
• Compression
• The force of compression pushes down on the suspension bridge deck, but because it
is a suspended roadway, the cable transfer the compression to the towers, which
dissipates the compression directly into the earth where they are firmly entrenched.

• Tension
• The supporting cables, running between the two anchorages, are the lucky recipients
of the tension forces.
• The cables are literally stretched from the weight of the bridge and its traffic as they
run from anchorage to anchorage.
• The anchorages are also under tension, but since they, like the towers, are held firmly
to the earth, the tension they experience is dissipated.
Suspension Bridge (continued)
Suspension Bridge (continued)
Suspension Bridge (continued)
• Almost all suspension bridges have in addition to the cables, a supporting truss
system beneath the bridge deck ( a deck truss).
• This helps to stiffen the deck and reduce the tendency of the roadway to sway
and ripple

Classical Suspension Bridge in New York – Manhattan

Bridge
Suspension Bridge (continued)
• Types of Suspension Bridges
• Suspension bridges come in two different designs – an ‘M” shape and cable-
stayed
(‘A’ shape)
• The cable-stayed bridge does not require two towers and four anchorages as does
the suspension bridge.
• Instead, the cables are run from the roadway up to a single tower where they are
secured.
• The longest suspension bridges in the world were no more than about 100 meters
until the invention of high-tensile steel.
• The spans achieved by steel suspension bridges are longer than any other type of
bridge and very strong with weight.
Cabled-stayed Bridge

Penang Bridge
 Cabled-stayed
Bridge

Cabled-stayed bridge, Savannah, Georgia, USA

Longest Span Bridge

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Japan

Beam Bridge
Beam Bridge
• The beam bridge is basically a rigid horizontal structure that is resting on two piers, one at each
end.
• The weight of the bridge and any traffic on it is directly supported by the piers.
• The weight is traveling directly downward.
• Beam bridges can be divided into two main groups – simple beam and cantilever.
• The simple beam bridge transmits the loads vertically through piers or abutments and
horizontally sells supporting.
• The cantilever beam transmits load through piers which are normally central to the beam,
however, when the cantilever is loaded the beam exerts great pressures on the opposite end
connection.
• There are many variations in beam design, ranging from steel design to pre-stressed concrete
units.
• The simple beam bridge is very economical for spans of up to 50 meters.
• The cantilever beam provides a means of producing much greater spans: bridges with spans of
up to 540 meters have been constructed.
Beam Bridge (continued)
Compression
• The force of compression manifests itself on the top side of the beam bridge
deck (or roadway)
• This caused the upper portion of the deck to shorten.
Tension
• The result of the compression on the upper portion of the deck causes tension in
the lower portion of the deck.
• The tension caused the lower portion of the beam to lengthen.
Dissipation
• The size of the beam, such as the height of the beam, controls the distance that
the beam can span
• This support truss add rigidity to the existing beam, greatly increasing its ability
to dissipate compression and tension.
Beam Bridge (continued)
• Types of Beam Bridge
• Howe Kingpost
• Through Truss
• Deck Truss
• Warren
• Pratt
Beam Bridge (continued): Types of Beam
Bridges

Howe Kingpost
Beam Bridge (continued): Types of
Beam Bridges

Through Truss
Beam Bridge (continued): Types of Beam Bridges

Deck Truss
Beam Bridge (continued): Types of Beam
Bridges

Warren
Beam Bridge (continued): Types of Beam Bridges

Pratt
Arch Bridge
Arch Bridge (continued)
• An arch bridge is a semicircular structure with abutments on each
end.
• The design of the arch, the semicircle, naturally diverts the weight
from the bridge deck to the abutments.
• The arch bridge has great natural strength.
• Thousands of years ago, Romans built arches out of stone.
• Nowadays, most arch bridges are made of steel or concrete, and
they can span up to 800 feet.
Arch Bridge (continued)
Compression
• Arch bridges are always under compression.
• The force of compression is pushed outward along the curve of the arch
toward the abutments.
Tension
• The tension in an arch is negligible.
• The natural curve of the arch and its ability to dissipate the force outward
greatly reduces the effects of tension on the underside of the arch.
• The greater the degree of curvature (the larger the semicircle of the arch),
however, the greater the effects of tension on the underside.
Bridge Elements
The main elements of the bridge as follows:
• Foundations
• Abutments
• Piers
Bridge Elements (continued)
Foundations
• The foundation prevents the bridge from sinking into the ground and also keeps it from tipping
over.
• The pile system and caisson could be used for the bridge foundations depending on the bridge type
and location.
Abutments
• Every bridge has two abutments, both ends.
• The purpose of the abutment is to provide a base or the end of the bridge rest.
• The top of the abutment is fitted with some sort of bearing.
• Typical parts of an abutment:
• Breast Wall or Stem
• Bridge Seat
• Wing Walls
• Back Wall
• Breast Wall
Bridge Elements (continued)
Piers
• A pier is a component of the substructure, placed at intermediate locations
between the abutments.
• Piers enable bridges to cover distances longer than the maximum practical span
length of a given design.
• Parts of piers:
• Pier Cap – a separate member joined to the top of the pier, supporting the bolster (if any)
and the bearings.
• Bolster – identical in function to the bolster that sits on the bridge seat.
• Apron, blanket, or mattress - a covering of large rocks to protect the bottom of the pier
from scour, the effect of strong water currents, which could undermine the pier.
• Starling or cutwater - a unit designed to protect the pier from damage by ships or floating
debris.
Bridge Construction
Bridge Bearings and Expansion
Joints
Expansion joint
Bridge Bearings
Waterproofing and surfacing of bridge decks
Waterproofing of bridge deck
Waterproofing of bridge deck

Membrane spray

Mel deck
Surfacing of bridge deck

Aspalt
surfaci
ng
Surfacing of bridge deck

Asphalt surfacing
Case Studies
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Location: Kobe and Awaji-shima, Japan

Completion Date: 1998
Cost: $4.3 billion
Length: 12,828 feet
Type: Suspension
Purpose: Roadway
Materials: Steel
Single Span: 6,527 feet
Engineers: Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority
Case Studies
Golden Gate Bridge
Location: San Francisco and
Sausalito, California, USA
Completion Date: 1937
Cost: $27 million
Length: 8,981 feet
Type: Suspension
Purpose: Roadway
Materials: Steel, concrete
Longest Single Span: 4,200 feet
Engineers: Joseph B. Strauss