Bridges © 2009

3. Design of Superstructure

•Bridge Design Goals

•Selection of Superstructures
•Summary of Design Steps
•Design Example

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Bridges © 2009

3.1 Goals of Bridge Design

Bridge design serves the following goals;
•Safety,
•Serviceability,
•Economy and
•Elegant / Appearance

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Bridges © 2009

Safety.
•The ideal structure must not collapse in
use.
•It must be capable of carrying the loading
required of it with the appropriate factor of
safety.
•This is more significant at detailed design
stage as generally any sort of preliminary
design can be made safe.

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Serviceability.
• The ideal structure must not suffer from:
local deterioration/failure, from excessive
deflection or vibration
• Detailed design cannot correct faults
induced by bad preliminary design.

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Appearance
• The structure must be pleasing to look at.
• Decisions about form and materials are
made at preliminary design stage
• The sizes of individual members are
finalized at detailed design stage.
• The preliminary design usually settles the
appearance of the bridge.

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Economy
• The structure must make minimal demands
on labour and capital;
• It must cost as little as possible to build and
maintain.
• At preliminary design stage it means
choosing the right type of materials for the
major elements of the structure, and
arranging these in the right form. 6
Bridges © 2009

3.2 Selection of superstructure

•Steel bridge, Timber bridge, Reinforced

Concrete bridge, Prestressed Concrete
bridge, Composite construction, Cable
Stayed, Suspension bridge, Truss bridge, or
Arch bridge.

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Bridges © 2009

BRIDGE DESIGN EXAMPLE

Slab–Beam Bridge of 16.0 m span

Guard Guard
Rail Rail
Kerb for Kerb for
Pedestrian Pedestrian
Surfacing 3% slope
100

450

1250
Units are in mm
550 550
1500 6400 1500

Materilas: Concrete grade C40 and Steel grade 460

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Analysis
Loading analysis

DEAD LOAD (L = 1.15)

Slab: 0.45 x 24 x 1.15 = 12.42 kN/m2

Kerb: 0.10 x 24 x 1.15 = 2.76 kN/m2

SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD (L = 1.75)

Surfacing: 0.096 x 22 x 1.75 = 3.70 kN/m2

Surfacing: 0.030 x 22 x 1.75 = 1.16 kN/m2

Parapet: 5.00 x 1.75 = 8.75 kN/m

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LIVE LOAD
LIVE LOAD:
HA Load
Loaded length = 16.00 m
Carriageway width = 6.40 m
Number of notional lanes = 2
Width of each notional lane = 3.20 m

HA alone (L = 1.50)

UDL: 30 kN/m/lane : 30 x 1.5/3.2 = 14.06 kN/m2
KEL: 120 kN/lane: 120 x 1.5/3.2 = 56.25 kN/m
(transversal line load)

HA with HB; (L = 1.30)

HA Loading
UDL: 30 x 1.3/3.2 = 12.19 kN/m2
KEL: 120 x 1.3/3.2 = 48.75 kN/m (transversal line load) 11
Bridges © 2009

HB Loading (Use 45 Units)

Total wheels: 16 wheels in 4 axles

Load per wheel: 45 x 2.5 x 1.3 = 146.25 kN

Load per axle: 146.25 x 4 = 585.00 kN

Total vehicle load: 585 x 4 = 2340 kN

Pedestrian (L = 1.5)

Pedestrian Load: 5 x 1.5 = 7.50 kN/m2

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ANALYSIS OF DECK SLAB

Dead Load (DL)
Consider 1.0 m width along the slab
2.76 kN/m 2.76 kN/m
12.42 kN/m

1.50 m 6.4 m 1.50 m

Shear and Moments

Slab VL = 12.42 x 1.5 = 18.63 kN ML = 12.42 x 1.52/2 = - 13.97 kNm

VR= 12.42 x 6.4/2 = 39.74 kN MR =12.42x6.42/8-13.97= 49.62 kNm

Kerb VL = 2.76 x 1.5 = 4.14 kN ML = 2.76 x 1.52/2 = -3.11 kNm

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Surfacing Dead Load

8.75 kN 3.70 + 1.16 = 4.86 kN/m 8.75 kN

1.16 kN/m

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

Surfacing: VR = 0.5 x (1.16+4.86) x MR = 9.63 x 3.2 – 1.16 x 3.22/2 – 0.5 x

3.2 = 9.63 kN 3.7 x 3.22 x 2/3 = 12.24 kNm
Parapet: VL = 8.75 kN ML = 8.75 x 1.5 = - 13.13 kNm

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Live Load
Case 1: HA on both lanes

14.06 kN/m
56.25 kN/m

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

Due to HA VR = 14.06 x 6.4/2 = MR = 14.06 x 6.42/8 =

44.99 kN 71.99 kNm
Due to KEL VR = 56.25 x 6.4/2 = MR = 56.25 x 6.42/8 =
180 kN 288.0 kNm

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Case 2: HA on One Lane Only
C
L

14.06 kN/m
56.25 kN/m

1.50 m 6.4 m 1.50 m

Due to HA VR = ⅜ x14.06 x 6.4 = MR = 14.06 (⅜x6.4)2/2 =

33.7 kN 40.49 kNm

Due to VR = ⅜ x 56.25 x 6.4 = MR= 56.25(⅜x 6.4)2/2 =

KEL 135 kN 162.0 kNm

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 Pedestrian Load
Bridges © 2009

7.50 kN/m 7.50 kN/m

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

VL = 7.5x 1.50 = 11.25 kN ML = 7.5 x 1.52/2 = 8.44 kNm

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Case 3: HB alone

Load per wheel = 146.25 kN

For Shear V
P P P P P = 146.25 kN
a 1.0 1.0 1.0 a = 0.25 m

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

VR =
P
(4 L − 4 a − 6 ) = 146.25/6.4 (4 x 6.4 – 4 x 0.25 – 6) = 425.04 kN
L

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Case 3: HB alone
For Moment M
P P P P
P = 146.25 kN
a 1.0 1.0 1.0

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

a = 3.2 - 1.0 - 0.25 = 1.95 m

 L − a L − ( a + 1 ) L − ( a + 2 ) L − ( a + 3 )
M R = P + + +   (a + 1) − P = 649.21 kNm
 L L L L 
In simplified form:

MR =
P
(4 L − 4 a − 6 ) (a + 1) − P = 649.21 kNm
L
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Case 4: HA + HB
P = 146.25 kN
P P P P
a = 0.25 m a 1.0 1.0 1.0 12.19 kN/m
48.75 kN/m

1.50 m 6.40 m 1.50 m

VR,HB = 425.04 kN
VR,HA,UDL = (1/8)WL = 12.19 x 6.4/8 = 9.75 kN
VR,HA,KEL = 48.75 x 6.4/8 = 39.0 kN
MHB = 425.04 x (2 + 0.25) -146.25 x 2 – 146.25 x 1 = 517.59 kNm
MHA,UDL = 40.49 x 1.3/1.5 = 35.09 kNm (from HA on one lane )
MHA,KEL = 162.0 x 1.3/1.5 = 140.4 kNm (from HA on one lane)

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Bridges © 2009

Summary of Design Loads for the Deck

Load type - Case Shear Force Reaction Bending Moment
in kN in kN in kNm
Outer Inner Hogging Sagging
Dead Load (DL)
Slab 18.63 39.74 58.37 13.97 49.62
Kerb 4.14 4.14 3.11** -
Surfacing Dead Load
Surfacing 9.93 9.93 12.24
Parapet 8.75 8.75 13.13
Sub Total 31.52 49.67 81.19 30.21 61.86

Live Load
Case 1: HA on both lanes
HA UDL 44.99 44.99 71.99
HA KEL 180.0 180.0 288.0
Sub-Total 224.99 224.99 359.99

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Bridges © 2009

Summary of Design Loads for the Deck (ctd)

Case 2: HA on one lane
HA UDL 33.70 33.70 40.49

HA KEL 135.0 135.0 162.0

Sub-Total 168.7 168.7 202.49

Case 3: HB alone 425.04 425.04 649.21

Case 4: HA + HB
HA UDL 9.75 9.75 35.09
HA KEL 39.0 39.0 140.40
HB 425.04 425.04 517.59
Sub-Total 473.79 473.79 693.08
Pedestrian 11.25 11.25 8.44

Design Values 42.77 523.46 566.23 38.65 754.94

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Bridges © 2009

ANALYSIS OF BEAMS

Loading

Self weight = 1.25 x 0.55 x 24 x 1.15 = 18.98 kN/m

DL from slab: 58.37 + 4.14 = 62.51 kN/m
Surface DL from slab: 9.93 + 8.75 = 18.68 kN/m

Live Loads – Critical Case 4

HA UDL: 9.75 kN/m

HA KEL: 39.0 kN
HB: 425.04 kN
Pedestrian: 11.25 kN/m

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Bridges © 2009
Statical System
Self wt: 18.98 kN/m
DL from slab: 62.51 kN/m
Surfacing DL: 18.68 kN/m
HA UDL: 9.75 kN/m
Pedestrian: 11.25 kN/m
P = 425.04 kN
P P KEL = 39 kN P P HB + HA-KEL
4.70 m 1.8 6.0 m 1.8 1.7
LCG
1.5 1.5 3.0
R1 BCG R2

16.00 m

HB Arrangement for maximum moment

Criterion for Maximum Moment from HB loading: Bending

moment under any load P is maximum when that load and the
CG of the whole system of loads on the span are equidistant from
the mid-span. (Distance a = L/2 – 1.8 -1.5 = 4.70 m) 24
Bridges © 2009

Maximum Bending Moment

Beam self weight: 18.8x 16x16/8 = 601.6 kNm
DL from slab: 62.51 x 16x 16/8 = 2000.32 kNm
Surface DL from slab: 18.68 x 16x16/8 = 597.76 kNm
LL – HA UDL 9.75 x 16x16/8 = 312.00 kNm
Pedestrian 11.25 x 16x16/8 = 360.0 kNm
HA KEL 39 x 16/4 = 156.00 kNm
R1HB = 690.69 kN
HB R1 R1HB x 6.5 – 1.8P = 3,724.41 kNm
TOTAL = 7,752.09 kNm

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For Maximum Shear Force

HB and KEL arrangement

KEL = 39 kN
P = 425.04 kN
P P P P
1.8 6.0 m 1.8

R1 R2
16.00 m

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Maximum shear Forces and Reactions

Beam self weight: 18.8 x 16/2 = 150.4 kN

DL from slab: 62.51 x 16/2 = 500.08 kN
Surface DL from slab: 18.68 x 16/2 = 149.44 kN
LL – HA UDL 9.75 x 16/2 = 78.00 kN
Pedestrian 11.25 x 16/2 = 90.00 kN
HA KEL 39 = 39 kN
HB R(max) P(16+ 14.2 + 8.2 + 6.4)/16 = 1190.11 kN
TOTAL = 2197.03 kN

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Designing and Detailing of

Superstructure
DETAILS FOR DESIGN
 Concrete grade (fcu) = 40 N/mm2
 Steel grade (fy) = 460 N/mm2 for main bars
 Steel grade (fy) = 250 N/mm2 for stirrups
 Density of concrete (γc) = 24kN/m3
 Slab thicknes s(h) = 450 mm
 Pedestrian kerb thickness = 100 mm
 Density of bitumen surface(γb) = 22 KN/m3
Bridges © 2009

DETAILS FOR DESIGN

 Number of HB units = 45 units

 Carriage width(W) = 3.2 m for one lane
 Pedestrian passage = 1.50 m on each side
 Design combination = Combination 1
 Camber gradient = 3%
 Parapet loading = 5 KN/m
 Design as per Bs 5400: 2000
 Design shear: V = 523.46 KN
 Design Moments: Mh = 38.65 KNm; Ms = 754.94
KNm
Bridges © 2009

DESIGN OF DECK
Total thickness of slab = 450 mm
Concrete cover = 35 mm
Bar diameter = 20 mm
Effective depth: d = 450 – 35 – 10 = 405 mm
Design moment = 754.99 kNm
M 754.99  10 6
K= 2
= 2
= 0.118  K'
f cu bd 40 x 1000 x 405
Singly reinforced section
z = d(0.5 + (0.25 – K/0.9)) = 0.846d = 342.63 mm
AS = M /(0.87fy z)
754990000
AS = = 5506mm 2 / m
0.87  460  342.63
Provide Y25 – 90 mm c/c
This amount of steel is to be provided in the transversal direction.
50% of tension steel has to be provided at the support for taking
unforeseen negative moments.
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Design of Kerb:
The design moment is 38.65 kNm
Using the same effective depth,
M 38.65  10 6
K= 2
= 2
= 0.006  0.156
f cu bd 40 x 1000 x 405
Z/d = (0.55 + (0.25 - 0.006 / 0.9)0.5) = 1.04 > 0.95
Use Z/d = 0.95
z = 0.95d = 384.75 mm
As = 38.65 x 1000000/(0.87 x 460 x 384.75) = 251 mm2/m
As,min = 0.13 x 1000 x 450/100 = 585 mm2/m ---→ Provide minimum
reinforcement

Provide Y16 – 300 c/c (As = 670 mm2/m)

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Design for Shear

V = 523 kN
v = V/bd = 523000/(1000 x 405) = 1.29 N/mm2 < 5.0 N/mm2 OK
Critical shear stress:
vc = 0.79x (100 x 5506/(1000x405))^0.333x(40/25)^0.5/1.25 = 0.89 N/mm2

Provide shear reinforcement:

0.4 + vc = v < 5.0 N/mm2
Asv b( v − v c )
=
sv 0.87 f yv
Assume bar diameter = 16 mm
Asv 2-legs = 402 mm2,
Sv = 0.87 x 460 x 402/(1000 x (1.29-0.89) = 402 mm c/c, say 400 mm c/c

Take the minimum reinforcement of Y16 – 300 c/c

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Design of Beams
Design of Beams
Assume 32 mm bar diameter, cover = 50 mm
Effective depth: d = (1250+450) – 50 – 16 =
1634 mm
Effective width of beam: b = 16000/10 + 550 =
2150 mm
Moment of resistance = 0.156 x 40 x 2150 x
1634 x 1634 =
35820 kNm > Ma
Hence, the section is Singly reinforced 33
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M 7752.09  10 6
K= 2
= 2
= 0.0338  0.156
f cu bd 40 x 2150 x 1634
Singly reinforced section
z = d(0.5 + (0.25 – K/0.9)) = 0.95d = 1552.3 mm
7752090000
AS 1 = = 12479 mm 2
0.87  460  1552.3
Provide 16Y32 at bottom in two layers
Top steel: at span provide 50%; 8Y32 and at support provide 16Y32

Shear:
v = 2197.03 x 1000/(550 x 1634) = 2.44 N/mm2 < 5.0 N/mm2 OK
vc = 0.79(100 x 12479/550x1634)^0.33 x 1/1.25 x (40/25)^0.33 = 0.83 N/mm2
Condition: (vc + 0.4) < v <0.8fcu or 5 N/mm2 and Asv  bv s v ( v − v c ) / 0.87 f yv

Assume 12 mm diameter links: Asv for 4 legs = 452 mm2

Sv = 452 x 0.87 x 460/(550x(2.44-0.83)) = 204.3, say 200 mm c/c.
Provide Y12 – 200 c/c
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Bridges © 2009

Assignments
1&2
The Beam and Slab R.C concrete bridge is to be designed and
constructed across the Wami river in one tunk roads in Tanzania. The
following data are available for the design
Geometry
Span length = 25 m
Carriageway width = 7.5 m
No. pedestrian kerb provided
Slab thickness = 400 mm
Beam cross section = 300 x 800 mm
Material properties
Unit weight of concrete = 24 kN/m3
Unit weight of asphalt = 22 kN/m3
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Assignments 1 & 2
Concrete grade = 50 N/m2
Steel grade = 460 N/m2 for main bars
steel grade = 250 N/m2 for stirrups
Loadings
HB units = 37.5
Parapet = 5 kN/m2
Design combination = 1
Camber = 0 %
Design Code = Bs 5400 : part 2: 2000

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Assignments 1 & 2
Tasks
1) Carry out loads analysis on slabs and beams to determine
design shear and bending moments
2) Design and detail the slabs and beams. Produce sketches
3) Carry out loads analysis on abutment given in the worked
example
4} check the stability of the abutments against sliding,
overturning and bearing pressure
5) Propose suitable barriers and wing walls if upstream
vegetation is forestry

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