Shock Transmission Units For Bridges - India

e) Bridges present ‘soft targets’ for terrorists
and vandals making them unserviceable

(a) Integral Bridges
Integral Bridges are characterized by monolithic in Fig. 14.
connection between the deck and the sub- f) Sharply skewed superstructures have the
structure (piers and abutments). Such bridges possibility of uplift at the acute angle corner,
are the answer for small and medium length which can be tackled with considerable
bridges where bearings and expansion joints
can either be eliminated altogether or reduced to bearings.
a minimum. Fig. 13 shows an example of integral
(b) Bearings in Consort with Seismic Devices
incorporation of intermediate expansion joints Seismic devices can be effectively used in bridge
the Integral Bridge concept can be extended to structures for the following purposes:
long bridges and viaducts.
(i) Reduce the seismic forces by increasing
The elimination or minimizing of Bearings and the natural period of vibration by base
Expansion Joints is important as they are fragile isolation using special bearings or those
elements and represent the weakest links in that increase damping. Example of such
bridge structures. The provision of Bearings and bearings are shown in Fig. 15.
Expansion Joints imply the following:
(ii) Distribution the earthquake forces to
a) Increased incidence of inspection and several sub-structures, so that the seismic
maintenance required. forces do not get loealised on piers with
b) Necessity of replacement during the service restrained bearings only. A good example
life of the bridge since their design life is of the utilization of devices called “Shock
much smaller than that of the rest of the Transmission Units” (STUs) is shown in Fig.
bridge elements. 16. A 1020m long bridge could be provided
with only one Expansion Joints (EJ2) in the
center and two at the extreme ends (EJ1
providing adequate ductility for resisting
and EJ3). The forces generated by the mass
earthquake effects, leading to larger
inertia of the deck could be shared between
earthquake design forces.
3 piers in this arrangement. The photograph
d) Possibility of dislodgement of of the STU installation is shown in Fig. 17.
superstructure during accidental loads, It is highlighted that STUs do not reduce the
especially those due to earthquakes is total force generated but is only a means of
a clear danger requiring expensive and resisting it as multiple locations.
clumsy attachments.
Fig: 14: Example of Damaged Pier Cap, Bearings &

Superstructure due to Terrorist Action Fig. 15: Base Isolation & Energy Dissipation
The Bridge and Structural Engineer Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 9

elastomeric bearings does reduce the effective
1.3) it must be ensured that the superstructure is

restrained from translation.
Piers are subjected to both vertical and horizontal
forces which can act simultaneously. Horizontal
forces can include both seismic and non-seismic
Fig. 16: NHAI’s Ganga Bridge at Allahabad
forces like braking and traction.
Showing Application of STUs In the case of a series of simply supported spans
resting on elastomeric bearings it is seldom
possible to create external restraint or bracing
and consequently all piers sway in identical
fashion when subject to horizontal forces. In
such bearing arrangements case 7 of the Table
in BS 5400 Part 4 becomes applicable and K=2.3
should be adopted.
Since, our recent code IRC 112 has adopted
along the above lines would be most helpful for

the designer.
Fig. 17: NHAI’s Allahabad Bridge:
Application of STUs
(c) Effective length of pier

The physical pier length (height), L, is multiplied
by an effective length factor K to compensate
for the rotational and translational boundary
conditions. KL represents the length between
represents a column hinged at both ends. Fig. 18: Eurocode EC2 cl. 5.8.3.2. : Figure 5.7
Contrary to general perception, bearings also

have an effect on the design of piers in some
cases. This is apparent from the effective length
factors given in the Eurocode EC2, AASHTO
code and BS 5400 Part 4 shown in Figs 18, 19
& 20 respectively. By and large all three codes
have similar provisions and should be adopted
exception is the case of BS 5400 Part 4 in which a

special provision exists for elastomeric bearings.
The provisions shown in Figure 20 not only
indicate the type of support at the upper end but
also the connecting member or bracing, if any.
When seen from this viewpoint it becomes clear
that whereas supporting the superstructure on Fig. 19: AASHTO Code
10 Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 The Bridge and Structural Engineer

The arrangement of all elements over the pier
cap require careful consideration. Bearing
replacement during the life time of the structure
and edge distances are some of these
considerations. A generously dimensioned pier
cap is highly recommended.
Use of Integral Bridge concepts reduce the
number of bearings and expansion joints and
should be adopted where possible.
In the present state-of-the-art bearings are often
used effectively in consort with seismic devices
like Shock Transmission Units and Dampers in
order to design sub-structures economically with
respect to lateral forces.
Code of Practice for Road Bridges: Part I-

Metallic Bearings.
Fig. 20: BS : 5400 Part 4
Code of Practice for Road Bridges: Part II-
Elastomeric Bearings.
The importance of careful planning of the general

Code of Practice for Road Bridges Part
arrangement of bearings and the selection of
III- POT, POT-cum-PTFE, Pin and Metallic
bearing type has been highlighted in the paper.
Guide Bearings.
Elastomeric bearings should always be the
Code of Practice of Road Bridges: Section
behavior when subjected to vertical loads. II- Loads and Stresses.
However, their behavior under lateral loads like
earthquake requires external restrainers such as
“reaction blocks” to ensure safety of the bridge. 78 dated 28th July, 2012.
For larger vertical loads, POT-PTFE or spherical 6. Eurocode 8: Design of Structures for
bearings need to be used. Earthquake Resistance: Part 2: Bridges.
The Bridge and Structural Engineer Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 11

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e) Bridges present ‘soft targets’ for terrorists

and vandals making them unserviceable

Fig: 14: Example of Damaged Pier Cap, Bearings &

The Bridge and Structural Engineer Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 9

1.3) it must be ensured that the superstructure is

along the above lines would be most helpful for

(c) Effective length of pier

Contrary to general perception, bearings also

exception is the case of BS 5400 Part 4 in which a

10 Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 The Bridge and Structural Engineer

Code of Practice for Road Bridges: Part I-

The importance of careful planning of the general

The Bridge and Structural Engineer Volume 43 Number 4 December 2013 11

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