CEng5315-Bridge Engineering
Chapter One
Introduction and Bridge site
selection
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Outlines
General introduction and definition
Elements/Components of Bridge
Classification of Bridge
Investigation and selection of Bridge site
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Learning outcomes of this chapter
To know classification of bridge based on different
criteria’s.
To select and investigate appropriate bridge sites
and recommend bridge type for the selected site.
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Introduction
What is a bridge?→ Definitions
What is the function of a bridge?→ Importance
How a bridge construction was started? → Brief
history of bridge development
??
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Introduction
What is a bridge? (General)
Bridge is a structure built to span and provide passage
for uninterrupted flow of traffic over an obstacles (i.e.
a physical gap or barriers).
These obstacles may be rivers or any water body,
valley, gorges, road or railway.
The passage may be for highway or railway traffic,
pedestrian, canal or pipeline.
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Introduction
Rivers
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Introduction
Traffic jam
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Introduction
Railway
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Introduction
What is a bridge? (Codes)
American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Bridge is any structure having an opening not less
than 𝟔𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒎𝒎 (𝟐𝟎. 𝟎𝒇𝒕) that forms part of a
highway or that is located over or under a highway.
The same definition according to AACRA (Addis
Ababa City Road Authority).
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Introduction
Ethiopian Roads Authority 2013: Part 1 Standards
for Bridge Design
Bridge is a structure with a total clear opening
above 𝟔. 𝟎𝒎.
A structure with a clear span opening less than
𝟔. 𝟎𝒎 is a culvert.
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Introduction
What is the function of a bridge?
Rivers and valleys form physical barriers between
people to interact, trade with one another, live and work
together.
For Ethiopia this holds especially true as the country is
known as “the water tower of Africa” due to the high
rainfall we receive, which resulted in quite many big
rivers dissecting the rough terrain and flowing deep in
the valleys.
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Introduction
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Introduction
As the saying “build bridges and you will have a
friend” goes, bridges have a unique attribute of
connecting different people.
Investment by both nationals and foreigners is play
vital role for economic development of a country.
One of the criteria that foreign investors weigh in
their investment decisions in a country is the level
of development of the transportation network.
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Introduction
Bridges provide essential links in highways and
railways at obstacles in the transportation network.
If the bridge fails, the whole transportation system
fails.
Bridge is the key element in a transportation system
to facilitate economical development of a country.
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Introduction
Bridges provide essential links in highways and
railways at obstacles in the transportation network.
If the bridge fails, the whole transportation system fails.
Basically, bridge in Road Transport system is
mandatory for two reasons.
a. To pass obstacles
b. To facilitate the transportation system.
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Introduction
Obstacles
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Introduction
In the large cities, there is traffic jam when two or
more roads meet at a point.
For such cases bridges provided as interchanges.
E.g. Gotera interchange – Addis Ababa
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Introduction
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Introduction
Gotera Interchange (Source: Photographer mrbeker on 15 June 2010)
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Introduction
Because of this, bridge is the key element in a
transportation system in case of communication over
gaps for whatever reason such as aquatic obstacles,
valleys and gorges etc. to facilitate economical
development of a country.
Many cities and towns are established near rivers and
bridges add to the beauty of cities and towns.
In addition bridges have military importance during war
for the of mobility army at war.
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Introduction
How a bridge construction was started?
The history of development of bridges is closely linked with the
history of human civilization.
Mankind takes lessons from nature to construct bridges:
Tree fallen accidentally across a stream was the earliest example
of a beam type bridge.
Natural rock arch formed by erosion of the loose soil below was
the earliest forebear of arch bridge.
Creeper hanging from tree to tree allowing monkeys to cross from
one bank to the other were the forerunners of suspension bridge.
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Introduction
The primitive man who felled a tree deliberately so that it
fell across a stream was the first bridge builder.
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Introduction
Natural rock arch
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Introduction
Natural rock arch
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Introduction
Natural Suspension Bridge
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Introduction
Historical Development of Bridge in Ethiopia
The first stone bridge constructed in Ethiopia by the
Portuguese on path leading to the Blue Nile Falls
(Portuguese Bridge was constructed around 1625)
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Introduction
During the Italians occupation (1935-1941) numerous
bridges were initiated and constructed.
Chiro-Serdo-Dessie road: 80 major bridges were
constructed
Asmara-Addis road up to Debre Sina: 24 major bridges
were constructed
Tekezie to Tanna: 52 major bridges were constructed
Addis to Mille: 50 major bridges were constructed
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Introduction
Major Bridges in Ethiopia
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Components of bridge
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Components of bridge
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Components of bridge
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Components of bridge
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Components of bridge
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Components of bridge
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Classification of bridge
Bridges can be classified based on:
1. Traffic type/ functionality
2. Based on life span
3. Horizontal arrangement
4. Based on vertical arrangement
5. Based on span of superstructures
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Classification of bridge
6. Based on Construction Materials
7. Based on Span Arrangement
8. Based on movement
9. Based on elevation/ Traffic flow level
10. Based on Super Structure Arrangement
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Classification of bridge
1. Based on Traffic Type/ Functionality
Highway Bridge
Abay bridge on Goha Tsion – Dejen road
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Classification of bridge
Railway Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Railway Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Pedestrian Bridge
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Classification of bridge
2. Based on Life span
Temporary Bridge E.g. Military Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Permanent Bridge- 100 year
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Classification of bridge
3. Based on Horizontal Arrangement
Curved Bridge
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Classification of bridge
3. Based on Horizontal Arrangement
Curved Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Skewed Bridge
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Classification of bridge
4. Based on span of superstructures
𝐿 ≤ 6𝑚 (Culvert)
7𝑚 ≤ 𝐿 ≤ 15𝑚 (Small span bridges)
16𝑚 ≤ 𝐿 ≤ 50𝑚 (Medium span bridges)
51𝑚 ≤ 𝐿 ≤ 150𝑚 (Large span bridges)
𝐿 ≥ 151𝑚 (Extra Large span bridges)
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Classification of bridge
5. Based on Construction Materials
Timber Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Masonry Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Steel Truss Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Pre-stressed Concrete Bridge
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Classification of bridge
6. Based on span arrangement
Simply span Bridge: are suitable for short spans
Continuous span Bridge: advantage over simple spans
include reduced weight, and greater stiffness, smaller
deflection, fewer bearing, expansion joints, redundancy and
greater overload capacity. However, analysis is tedious and
cumbersome and not suitable on yielding foundation.
Cantilever span Bridge: A bridge that is built-in at one end
and free at the other
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Classification of bridge
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Classification of bridge
Simple Span Bridge
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Classification of bridge
Continuous Span Bridge- Modjo Bridge
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Classification of bridge
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Classification of bridge
7. Based on movement
Movable Bridge: They have moveable decks, most
often powered by electricity.
Fixed Bridge: they have no moving parts and stay
in one place until they fail or are demolished.
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Classification of bridge
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Classification of bridge
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Classification of bridge
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Why site investigation for Bridges needed?
The aim of the investigation is to select a suitable site from
possible alternatives at which a bridge can be built
economically, at the same time satisfying the demands of
safety, traffic, the stream, and aesthetics.
In the preliminary design stage, the engineer identifies a
preferred location for the bridge and decides its type, size
and capacity.
He/she reaches these decisions on the basis of field surveys.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Selection of a suitable bridge site especially for major bridges is
teamwork consisting of Highway Engineer, Bridge Engineer,
Geologist and Hydraulic Engineer.
For selection of a suitable site for a bridge, the investigating
engineer should make a reconnaissance survey for about 𝟏𝒌𝒎 on
the upstream side and 𝟏𝒌𝒎 on the down stream side of the
proposed bridge site and should journey along the road for about
𝟏𝒌𝒎 on either side of the road from the bridge site in order to
form the best suited and economical alignment of the road with
the suitable bridge site by considering the topographical features
and soil conditions.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
To the extent possible, it is desirable to align the bridge at
right angles to the river, i.e. to provide a square crossing,
which facilitates minimum span length, deck area and pier
lengths with accompanying economies.
Sometimes, a skew crossing which is inclined to the center
line of the river at an angle different from a right angle has
to be provided in order to avoid costly land acquisition or
sharp curves on the approaches.
A skew bridge usually poses more difficulties in design,
construction and maintenance.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Decision of site selection is based on:
i. The proposed roads alignment
In the case of old alignment, the bridge site may be
governed by an existing roadway or railway alignment.
In the case of new alignment, the bridge site is so
chosen to give maximum commercial benefits (i.e.
shorter span length).
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
ii. The local terrain and site conditions
The local terrain and site conditions dictate the height,
length and number of spans, and the design of the
substructure foundations.
iii. The required design life of the bridge and resources
available for the project
The required design life and the resources available to
construct the bridge will influence the choice of
materials and construction methods.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
iv. The likely traffic volume
The traffic predictions enable the engineer to determine
the necessary width of the bridge.
In general, a bridge project can be considered to have
three major stages. These are:
a) Preliminary stage,
b) Design stage, and
c) Construction stage.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
a) Preliminary stage (Preliminary Survey)
Possible bridge sites are first located on the maps using
topographic maps (Map Catalogue) available in the country.
Once the engineer has identified a likely site for the bridge,
he/she needs to obtain field information on the catchment
area and run off, local terrain, river conditions and water
levels, navigational (only for movable bridge) and other
clearance requirements, and soil information at planning
stage.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Detailed river survey
After locating the possible bridge sites on the
topographic map, detailed river survey for this selected
site shall be conducted.
For a river crossing bridge, it is important to identify the
type of river to be crossed.
There are two types of rivers namely alluvial and
incised.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Alluvial rivers are winding and they erode their
banks and scour their beds; they have flood plains
on either side of the channel and the flow regularly
overtops the channel banks to spread across the
flood plain.
They are continually active, scouring and
depositing materials on the banks and transporting
quantities of sediment.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Bridge crossings over alluvial rivers nearly always
require training works to stabilize the channel flow
within the bridge waterway opening.
Incised rivers have relatively stable banks and are
generally narrower and deeper than alluvial rivers.
Some overtop their banks during flood, but the flow
returns to the existing channel when the flood
subsides.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Hydraulic data
At cross sections of river along the proposed bridge
site, hydraulic data includes size, shape and surface
characteristics of catchment area, intensity and
frequency of rainfall, storage capacity of catchment
area, detail of H.F.L, L.W.L and afflux shall be
collected for the estimation of design discharge.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Soil Investigation
Soil investigation is required to get soil profile,
engineering property of the foundation material and
foundation level for the abutments and piers for
design of the foundations.
This information is obtained by analyzing samples
taken from boreholes, test pits or geophysical
surveying.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
Generally, an ideal site for bridge crossing is one that;
i. A straight reach of the river
If the river is meandering the best crossing site will be
at the nodal points of the course, which are not affected
by the meandering.
It is desirable to have minimum width of river at the
bridge site.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
ii. It is better if the bridge site is so selected that the
velocity of water flow is stable and uniform flow
to avoid scouring and silting.
iii. Firm embankments
Firm high and solid embankments at the abutment
sides could guard the bridge at the time of heavy
floods and they do not allow the course of river to
alter.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
iv. Foundations
The nature of the soil at the bridge site should be
such that good, proper and economical foundation
can be provided for the bridge.
v. Square crossing
Reasonable straight approach roads and permits as a
square crossing as possible.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
If a skew is unavoidable, the angle should
preferably not exceed 𝟐𝟎° due to the increased cost.
vi. It should be short span (narrow channel)
vii. Does not require expensive river training work
[Link] not require excessive underwater
construction
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
b) Design stage
The design stage, consists of mainly three elements;
Hydraulic design,
Geometric design and
Structural design.
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Investigation and selection of bridge site
c) Construction stage
At the construction stage;
Primary construction surveys,
River training works,
coffer dam construction,
Approaches for machinery and equipment's, storage and
security for materials are important elements of bridge
project under construction stage
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