Awarded as the best online publication by CIDC

Bridge Engineering

For the loading pattern to obtain maximum positive moment in a span of a continuous beam, why should alternative spans on each side of the span be loaded?

To acquire a maximum sagging moment in a span of a continuous beam, the general rule is to load the span under consideration and alternative spans on each side of the span. To account for this rule, let’s consider the following example. For instance, loads are applied to the mid-span of a multiple-span continuous beam. It is noticed that this loads induce positive moments near mid-span in all even spans. Therefore, if all even spans are loaded simultaneously, this will result in the increase of positive moments in all other loaded spans.

Read More

What are the potential advantages of continuous multiple-span deck over simply supported multiple-span deck?

Movement joints are normally added to bridge structures to accommodate movements due to dimensional changes arising from temperature variation, shrinkage, creep and effect of prestress. However, the provision of excessive movement joints should be avoided in design because movement joints always encounter problems giving rise to trouble in normal operation and this increases the cost of maintenance.

Read More

What are the main potential benefits in using the bridge form of precast prestressed beams supporting in-situ concrete top slab?

The potential benefits of using the bridge form of precast prestressed beams supporting in-situ concrete top slab are:

(i) For bridges built on top of rivers and carriageway, this bridge form provides the working platform by the precast beams so that erection of falsework is not required.

Read More

Why is creep a major concern in balanced cantilever method?

In balanced cantilever method, the moment is balanced along the length of the piers. However, along the extended cantilevers only a part of negative bending moment is balanced by prestressing bending moment arising from normal force induced by prestressing.

Read More

What is the difference between span-by-span construction and progressive placement?

Balanced cantilever construction simply cantilevers segments from a pier in a balanced manner on each side until the mid-span is reached and a closure is made with a previous half span cantilever from the preceding
pier.

Read More

Ask a question