Bridge Construction

Table of Content
1
Types of
5
Bridges
Construction Phase

Structural
2
Component
6 Foundation Construction

3 7
Site Preparation Super-Structure Assembly

Materials and
4 Techniques 8 Finishing Touches
 1
Types of Bridges
 Beam Bridge Truss Bridge Arch Bridge

• The Simplest • A stable design • Has curved abutments

• The further apart the • Efficiently distributes • Weight carried along
support the weaker it gets pressure the curve
• Used for over passes • Found in places with
and heavy snowfall strong foundations
 Suspension Cable Stayed
Tied Bridge Bridge Bridge
• Bowstring Arch • Ideal for spanning • Are attached staright
• Held up by tension along long distances to the tower
the level of bridges deck • It hangs the roadway • Aesthetically pleasing
from large main cables and efficient in the use
starting at one end to of materials.
Cantilever the other tower.
Bridge
• Horizontal Beams
supported on only one End
• Advantage : it spans over
water
 Types of bridges by usage

Pedestrian Bridges Car Traffic Train Bridges

• For passenger to • One or two lanes • Made to carry one or
travel and enabling designed to carry car and multiple lanes of train
users unrestricted view to truck traffic tracks
the area below the bridge
 Aqueducts Commercial
Bridges Pipeline Bridges
• Intended to carry water • Hosts commercial
• Constructed to carry
from water rich areas to buildings
pipelines across water.
very distant dry areas
it can carry water, air,
gas, and
communication cables.
 2
Structural Components
 Structural
Components
A structural component is a part or element of a structure that contributes to its overall stability,
strength, and load-bearing capacity. These components can be made of various materials
such as concrete, steel, wood, or composite materials.
 Types of Structural components
Foundations Beam
1 4
The base of the bridge Horizontal members that span
that supports the weight between piers and support

Piers Trusses
2 Vertical structures that support 5 Triangular structures that provide
the weight of the bridge and additional support
transfer it to the foundation.
Cables And
Abutments Deck
3 Structures at either end 6 suspension bridges to support
of a bridge the weight
deck is the surface of the
bridge that carries
traffic.
Structure
 3
Site Preparation
 Site preparation for bridge
construction
1. Preliminary Engineering and Design:

- Conduct a topographic survey to gather detailed

information about the site's terrain, existing structures,
water bodies, and other relevant features
2. Environmental Assessment and Permits:
- Conduct an environmental assessment to identify
potential ecological impacts and ensure compliance with
environmental regulations.
 3. Clearing and Demolition
- Clear the construction site of vegetation, trees, rocks, and other obstructions that may interfere with
construction activities.
4. Earthwork and Grading:
- Excavate or fill the site to achieve the required elevation and
slope necessary for the bridge construction.

5. Access Roads and Temporary Infrastructure:

- Construct temporary access roads, ramps, or
detours to provide safe and efficient
transportation for construction vehicles,
equipment, and workers.
6. Utilities and Services:
- Identify and relocate existing utilities, such as water lines,
gas lines, or telecommunication cables, that may intersect
with the bridge construction.
 7. Erosion and Sediment Control:
- Implement erosion control measures, such as erosion control blankets, silt fences,
sediment basins, or sediment traps, to prevent soil erosion and protect nearby
water bodies

8. Safety Measures:
- Install safety signage, barriers, and fencing to protect workers and the public from potential
hazards.

9. Mobilization of Equipment and Materials :

- Transport construction equipment, materials, and supplies to the site for use in the bridge
construction.
- Establish laydown areas or staging areas for efficient storage and organization of construction
materials.
 4
Materials and Techniques for
Bridge Structure
Construction
 1. Concrete

● Concrete is commonly used for many bridge superstructure

members such as decks, pre-stressed concrete beams, curbs,
sidewalks and parapets.
● Most of the modern bridge construction makes use of
concrete as the primary material. The concrete is good in
compression and weak in tensile strength. The reinforced
concrete structures are the remedy put forward for this
problem.
●
• The concrete tends to have a constant value of
modulus of elasticity at lower stress levels. But
this value decreases at a higher stress condition.
• This will welcome the formation of cracks
and later their propagation. Other factors to
which concrete is susceptible are the
thermal expansion and shrinkage effects.
• Creep is formed in concrete due to long time
stress on it. The mechanical properties of
concrete are determined by the compressive
strength of concrete.
 2. Steel
● Steel is commonly used in the bridge superstructure for
armoring expansion joints, beams, bearings, floor beams,
girders, reinforcing bars in concrete, traffic barriers and
trusses. It is used in the substructure for the reinforcing bars
in concrete, armoring for expansion joints, anchor bolts, etc.
It is also used for piles to support the abutments and piers.

● The major inbuilt property of steel is the ductility property.

This is the deformation capability before the final breakage
tends to happen. This property of steel is an important
criterion in the design of structures.
 3. Stone
• For a long time in the history, the stone
has been used in and as a single form.
They are mainly used in the form of
arches. This is because they possess
higher compressive strength.

• With time, the stone bridges have

proved most efficient and
economical due to the durability
and low maintenance guaranty it
provides throughout its life
period
 5
Bridge Construction
Phases
Bridge Construction Phases
Planning and
Design Site Preparation
Consider various factors like Clearing site, excavating
location, budget, and structural the foundation, and
design. temporary access roads
are prepared.

Foundation Substructure
Construction Construction
Parts that support the
Different foundation types like
superstructure. Substructure
driven piles, caissons, and
Includes piers, abutments, and
spread footings are often used.
other elements.
Superstructure
Construction Deck Construction
Consists of girders, trusses, Is the roadway or walking
arches, or beams. Steel, structure. Made of concrete,
concrete, or both can be steel, or composite materials.
used.

Testing and
Finishing and
Commissioning
Detailing Comprehensive testing and
Is added to enhance the inspections are conducted.
bridge’s aesthetics, Load test, as well as
functionality, and safety. deficiencies are checked
thoroughly.
 6
Foundation construction
 Foundation construction is a critical step in the bridge
construction process since foundation is the a significant
structural piece that maintains stability of the entire bridge.
The general steps of bridge foundation construction

1. Site preparation: obstacles, as well as grading and leveling the ground.

2. Excavation: A hole is excavated in the ground where the foundation will be located

3. Footing construction: The bottom of the excavation is leveled and compacted,

and a layer of concrete is poured to form the footing of the foundation..

4. Piling installation: Piles are driven into the ground to support the foundation.

5. Pier construction: piers are constructed on top of piles to support the bridge deck

6. Backfilling: Once the foundation is complete, the excavation is backfilled with soil
or other materials to provide additional support and stability.
 Types of Bridge Foundations
Shallowfoundations:
used for smaller bridges and are placed closer to the ground surface.

-Spread Footing

This type of foundation involves excavating a hole in the ground and filling it with
concrete to form a base.
This foundation consists of two components, including the footing and the stem;
stem, a vertical and solid section built using concrete that transfers load from the bridge
to the footings.
Footings distribute the load evenly over a large area.

Open-pit and shored excavations are allowed for spread footing foundation construction.
• Raft Foundation

Raft foundation is suitable for bridge construction where the

watercourse bed consists of silt and soft clay, and the hard soil is
unavailable within reasonable depth below the river bed.

Raft foundation is commonly built where the soil has a low bearing
capacity or the bridge loads are heavy. It is also suitable when the soil
bed has some compressible soft pockets or when there is a risk of
unequal settlement
Deep foundations:
These are used for larger bridges or in areas where the soil is weak or unstable.

-Driven Piles
This foundations uses side friction to support the loads from the bridge.
It consists of long shafts of material/piles that are driven deep into the ground.
It is cost-effective and versatile to utilize as it can be used in different ground
conditions.
However, noise and ground vibrations are created during the installation of piles.
And short piles can have low lateral resistance/capacity.
 -Drilled Shafts

• Drilled shafts are large diameter holes drilled into the ground and filled with
concrete and reinforcing to form a foundation.
• They are often used in areas with difficult soil conditions or where pile driving is
not feasible.

• Drilled shaft foundations have very high lateral and axial resistances, low ground
vibrations and can be constructed as deep as required for scour
resistance/capacities.

• However, this foundation is expensive, lacks redundancy, and is sensitive to

construction procedures.
.
 7
Super-Structure Assembly
 Super Structure Connection
Assembly Assembly Method Technique
• Welding
Types of super structures • Cranes • Bolting
• Beams/Girders • Launching Gantries • Epoxy Bonding
• Trusses • Falsework
• Floor Beam stringer • Incremental Launching
system .
• Stringers
• Bearings
 Super Structure
Assembly
Beams/Girders
Steel Beams/Girders
• Steel built up I-shaped and box-shaped girders offer a great
deal of flexibility.
• They allow the bridge engineer to customize the members for
their particular need
• Steel I-shaped and box built up girders are used for
intermediate span lengths not requiring a truss or other
bridge type capable of very long spans, and yet requiring
a member larger than a rolled beam.
 Structural
Super Structure Components Of
Assembly truss Bridges
Beams • Prestressed concrete girders are
produced using high strength concrete
Concrete Beams and steel tendons Pre-stress means that
• Bridges using these during fabrication, compressive stress is
introduced into areas of the beam that
shapes with mild steel normally would be in tension when the
reinforcement are beam is subjected to loads
often Cast-In-Place
(CIP) concrete. • Pre-stressed concrete is generally more
Concrete members of economical than conventionally reinforced
this type are used for concrete due to the benefits of the pre-
stressing, and because pre-stressing steel
short and medium is very high strength, fewer pounds of
span bridges steel are needed. However, pre-stressed
strand repair is difficult.
 Beams/Girders

Voided Slab
• Is fabricated piece-by-piece
• The superstructure is constructed of precast concrete.
• Used for long span bridges
• Generally comprised of box girder segments
 Beams/Girders

TimberBeams/Girders
• Timber • Common spans are 15 to 25 feet,
superstructures are with a maximum span of 30 feet for
still common on general highway use
secondary and local
roads, as well as on • Service life of timber beam bridges can be 40 to 70
forest and logging years with proper maintenance.
roads.
 Structural
Super Structure Components Of
Assembly truss Bridges
Trusses Chords: The upper and lower longitudinal
members that extend the full length of a
• Provides high load triangular section are called chords.
carrying capacities
Diagonals: The diagonal members connect
and can be used to
successive top and bottom chords and resist
span greater lengths tension or compression
than rolled beams
and girders. Verticals: connect the top and bottom chords
• Carry axial tension and resist tension or compression stresses
and compression
Floor Beams: Floor beams span between the
loads
trusses at panel points and carry loads from
floor stringers and the deck system to the Floor Beam – Stringer System
trusses.

Stringers: Stringers span between floor

beams and provide primary support for the
deck system. The deck loading is transferred
through the stringers to the floor beams
 Super Structure
Assembly Stringers
Floor Beam – Stringer The individual members of beam and
System girder structures are tied together with
Stringers span diaphragms and cross frames; trusses
longitudinally between are tied together with portals, cross
floor beams and transmit frames, and sway bracing
loads from the deck to
the floor beams.
The floor beams span
between trusses and
transfer loads from the
stringers to the trusses

Bearings
Bearings transmit loads from the superstructure to the
substructure and, as needed, allow movement due to
expansion, contraction, and rotation
Assembly
Methods
Cranes: The most
common method, Falsework: Temporary supports
especially for smaller used to hold the superstructure in
bridges or sections. place as it is being built.
Cranes lift prefabricated Especially useful for uneven
components and place terrain.
them in their final .
positions.

Launching gantries: Used for

bridges.The gantry travels along
the already-built structure of the Incremental launching:
bridge, pushing or pulling new Used for is incrementally
sections into place. built out from each tower,
often using temporary or
support structures.
 Super Structure
Assembly
Connection
Technique

• Bolting: High-strength bolts fasten steel or concrete

components together. Quick and efficient for
Bridge superstructure assembly using bolts
• Welding: Steel components are permanently joined
using .Offers high strength and rigidity but requires
specialized equipment and skills.
• Epoxy bonding: Used for concrete components. An Epoxy
is applied to surfaces, creating a permanent bond.
 8
Finishing Touches
 1. Deck Surfacing

● Apply the final layer of surfacing material to the bridge deck, such as asphalt, concrete, or
specialized bridge deck coatings.
● The surfacing provides a smooth and durable driving surface.
 2. Railings and Barriers
● Install appropriate railings and barriers along the sides of the bridge
to enhance safety.

● These can be made of materials like steel, concrete, or composite

materials, depending on the design and requirements.
 3. Lighting
● Install adequate lighting systems to ensure proper
visibility during nighttime.

● This includes streetlights along the bridge and any

necessary signage illumination.
 4. Signage and Markings
● Install signage indicating the bridge name, speed limits, weight limits,
and any other relevant information.

● Additionally, apply road markings such as lane lines, arrows, and

pedestrian crossings as per traffic regulations.
 5. Landscaping and Beautification
● Enhance the aesthetics of the bridge surroundings by landscaping the
adjacent areas.

● This may involve planting trees, shrubs, or flowers, as well as

installing decorative elements like benches, artwork, or architectural
features.
 6. Drainage Systems
● Ensure proper drainage by installing gutters, drains, and scuppers
to prevent water accumulation on the bridge deck.

● Adequate drainage helps extend the lifespan of the bridge

structure.
 7. Expansion Joints
● Install expansion joints to allow for thermal expansion and contraction
of the bridge structure.

● These joints accommodate movement and prevent cracking or damage

to the bridge caused by temperature fluctuations.
 8. Surface Protection
● Apply protective coatings to the bridge structure to prevent
corrosion and extend its lifespan.

● These coatings act as a barrier against harsh weather conditions

and other environmental factors.
 9. Safety Features
● Install safety features such as emergency telephones,
surveillance cameras, and fencing to enhance
security and provide assistance in case of
emergencies.
 10. Final Inspections
● Conduct thorough inspections to ensure that all construction elements
comply with safety standards and regulations.

● This includes structural integrity, electrical systems, signage visibility, and

adherence to design specifications.
THANK
YOU!!!