Bridges and their types

Bridge A bridge is a structure provided in railway ,

highway, footway and service way over
intersection of roads, rivers, streams, lakes etc
for smooth crossing of trains, vehicles , people
and utility services.

Components of
Bridge Superstructure

Bearing

Substructure

Appurtenances and
Site related Structures
 Superstructure
The structural components above the level of bearing
are classed as superstructure. Superstructure provides
base for moving vehicles, trains and pedestrians.
Wearing surface Deck
The wearing surface is that portion of deck,
which resists traffic wear. In most instances this
is a separate layer made of bituminous material.

Deck
The deck is the physical extension of the
roadway across the obstruction to be bridged. In
most instances this is a Reinforced Concrete
Slab.

Primary members
Primary members are those, which distribute
bridge loads longitudinally. Primary members
consists of beam, truss, arch or frame.
Primary Secondary
Secondary members
Member Member
Secondary members are bracing between
primary members help to distribute loads
2
transversely
Bearing
The mechanical device
placed between
superstructure and
substructure to transmit
vertical and horizontal
load to substructure,
allowing some
translational and Bearing
rotational movements.

3
 Substructure
The structural components below the bearing level are classed
as substructure. Substructure provides support for
superstructure and transfers the load from superstructure to
the soil. It consists of abutments, piers and foundations.

Abutment
Abutment is end support of bridge, which Abutment
retains earth and provide support for
superstructure.

Pier
Pier is an intermediate support of bridge ,
which provides support for
superstructure.

Foundation Pier
Footing/foundation
Footing/foundation are structures, which
support the piers and abutments and
transfer loads from pier and abutment to
the subsoil. 4
 Appurtenances and site related structures
Appurtenances is the part of a bridge or bridge site, which
are non structural components and serve in the overall
functionality of the structure

Embankment and slope protection

structure
Structures which provide proper drainage ,
control erosion and increase aesthetics of
bridge.

Approach slab
Slab, which provides smooth transition of
loads from flexible road surface to rigid bridge
surface.

River training structure

Structure, which guide and regulate the river
course in desired direction and protects
bridge substructures
5
 Components of Bridge

Steel Truss
Approach Slab Bearing RC Girder Road Way

Flood level

Abutment with
Pile Foundation
River
Training River Bed Pier with Well Foundation

6
Components of Bridge
 Bridge Components Embankment
Approach slab
Expansion Joint
Approach Road
Bridge Railing

Railing Post

Kerb

Abutment

Longitudinal girder Well Cap

Pier Cap Cross girder
Stopper
Pile Cap Well Steining
Bearing

Pier Wing Walls

Bottom Plug

Well Curb
Piles
 Bridge as a Different Structure
Mostly length of bridge structures come about large. Large length promotes
huge translational and rotational movements. Consequently, arises need of
some mechanism at the joint of superstructure and substructure in bridges,
which could allow these movements to prevent large secondary stresses.

Primary loads on bridges are heavy moving loads. These moving loads have
governing role on the structural behaviour of bridge structure. Consequently,
arises need of minute examination of the responses of bridge to moving loads.

Mostly bridges are built over the obstructions or in difficult places i.e. over the
river, streams, marshy land, gorge or intersection of roadway or railway, which
always adds complications in the construction. Consequently bridges are not
designed, without considering their construction methods.

So approach on analysis, design and construction of

bridge structures are different from other structures.
Development of Bridge
Timber Lug to Modern Bridge

Timber
Lug Steel

RCC
Columnar
Root

Stone
Prestressed Concrete

Cast Iron

Cable Structure
 Structural Systems
of Bridge Structures
Beam Wall System

Cable System

Truss System

Arch System
Frame System
 Different types of bridges
According to the type of
and their characteristics superstructure

According to the materials used in Slab Bridge

the superstructure T-beam Bridge
Box Girder Bridge
Timber Bridge Frame Bridge
Masonry Bridge Truss Bridge
RCC Bridge Arch Bridge
Steel Bridge Suspension Bridge
Composite Bridge Cable Stayed Bridge
Prestressed Concrete Bridge

According to the support

According to the span length of bridge conditions of superstructure
Culvert Span < 6m Simply Supported Bridge
Minor Bridge Span 6-30m Cantilever Bridge
Major Bridge Span > 30m Continuous Bridge
Long Span Bridge Span > 100m Rigid Frame Bridge
Different types of bridges According to the type of service
and their characteristics Permanent Bridge
Temporary Bridge
According to the means of
transport
According to the profile of the bridge
Highway Bridge
Railway Bridge Straight bridge
Pedestrians Bridge Skewed bridge
Utility Bridge Curved bridge

According to the floor arrangement

Deck Bridge Curved bridge

Through Bridge
Half Through Bridge
Skewed bridge
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 Slab Bridge
Solid slab bridge

Solid slab bridge with

cantilever footpath

Voided slab bridge with cantilever

footpath

Negative aspects
Has heavy self weight
Economically not effective for large span
Positive aspects of bridge
Increases clearance above the afflux due to the Can cover small span<15m
shallow depth of slab
Gives clean attractive appearance
Has good lateral load distribution characteristics
due to its good torsional stiffness
Requires low maintenance cost
14
 T-Beam Bridge

Multi-girder bridge deck

Twin girder bridge deck

Negative aspects

Gives less clean appearance

Can be economically effective up to 30 m
span of bridge
Positive aspects

Easy to construct due to its simple geometry

Gives economy due to monolithic construction of beam
and slab
15
Box Girder Bridge

Single cell box girder

Multi cell box girder

Positive aspects

Reduces cost of construction for large span

Gives good appearance
Has good lateral load distribution characteristics and
suitable for curved bridges
Can be economically effective for span greater than
30m

Negative aspects

Cast in situ is not simple

Heavy machineries and high skills are required
to construct 16
Truss Bridge

Negative aspects
Positive aspects
Reduces vertical clearances above the afflux
Easy to construct due to its depth
Has rigid structure and can cover Requires thorough maintenance regularly
relatively larger span No longer economically competitive
Gives rough appearance

17
Arch Bridge
Through Arch Bridge

Positive aspects

Gives good appearance

Can be given economical structure if
the profile of arch is apportioned
appropriately

Deck Arch Bridge

Negative aspects

Requires good subsoil conditions for

its foundation
Half Through Arch Bridge
Requires high fabrication and erection
cost

18
Frame Bridge

Positive aspects

Gives good appearance

Not requires expensive
bearings
Gives more stable structure
Can cover span up to 100m

Frame bridge over river intersection

Negative aspects

Requires good subsoil

conditions for its foundation

Frame bridge over road intersection 19

Suspension Bridge

Positive aspects Negative aspects

Gives good appearance Requires good subsoil conditions for

Requires less numbers of expensive the anchorage of its cables
bearings Can be economical only for long span
Can be constructed without extra support Requires thorough maintenance
Can cover long span regularly

20
Cable Stayed Bridge

Positive aspects

Gives good appearance

Requires less numbers of expensive
bearings
Can be constructed without extra support
Can cover long span
Gives greater stiffness than in suspension
bridge

Negative aspects

Requires taller tower than in suspension

bridge
Can be economical only for long span
Requires thorough maintenance regularly 21
 Karnali Bridge
[Unsymmetrical cable stay bridge in Karnali river]