18 Questions
Which bridge type is represented by the Brooklyn Bridge in New York?
Suspension bridge
What is the example provided for a truss bridge in the text?
New Orleans through truss bridge
Which superstructure material is NOT mentioned in the text as part of the assembly of design criteria for building a bridge?
Plastic
In a cable stayed bridge, what provides support to the deck?
Cables attached to towers
Which of the following is NOT a common element considered during the design phase of a bridge project?
Traffic lights placement
Which bridge type is represented by the Hidassie bridge mentioned in the text?
Cable stayed bridge
Which type of bridge features a single arched structure supporting the entire bridge deck?
Arch bridge
In bridge construction, which material is commonly used for the superstructure of a composite bridge?
Steel
What type of bridge is characterized by its triangular framework of connected elements?
Truss bridge
Which type of bridge relies on cables attached to towers for support?
Suspension bridge
What type of superstructure material is commonly used in slab bridges?
Reinforced concrete
Which term refers to the part of a bridge project that includes the roadway or railway track on which vehicles or trains pass?
Superstructure
What is a design objective to improve the appearance of bridges?
Avoiding round or square columns
Why should all columns or piers be of the same size in bridge design?
To enhance aesthetics and reusability of formwork
What is the purpose of using ledges in bridge design?
To enhance the visual appeal by breaking large expanses of concrete
In bridge design, why should the sides of box girders be sloped back under the bridge and given edges with a fillet?
To enhance appearance and reduce the apparent depth
What is emphasized in the design philosophy regarding bridges fitting their surroundings?
Bridges should blend in and look like they belong
What is the purpose of defining fatigue and fracture limit states in bridge design?
To restrict stress range and ensure structural survival during extreme events
Study Notes
Bridge Types
- Arch bridge: example is Abay bridge on Goha Tsion – Dejen road, Temcha bridge
- Truss bridge: example is New Orleans through truss bridge
- Suspension bridge: example is Brooklyn bridge, New York
- Truss arch bridge: example is New River gorge bridge, USA
- Cable stayed bridge: examples are Hidassie bridge and Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Japan
Elements of a Bridge Project
- Feasibility phase: determines if the bridge is viable or not
- Assembly of design criteria: focus on establishing design standards and data collection
- Design phase: performs design per the established design standard and data collected
- Construction phase: implementation of the designed works
- Performance phase: operational and maintenance
Assembly of Design Criteria
- Data and properties on the material to be used (e.g. steel, concrete, timber, masonry)
- Foundation considerations (e.g. hydraulic, flood, scour)
- Loading and design criteria
- Clearance height and width (e.g. for navigation or traffic)
- Criteria for gradients, alignment, etc.
- Hazards (e.g. impact, accident)
- Data collection (e.g. maps, condition survey)
- Topographical surveys
- Hydrological survey and information
- Geological and geotechnical information
- Site investigation requirements for soil and rock evaluation
- Meteorological and aerodynamic data
- Likely budget
Introduction to Bridges
- A bridge is a structure providing passage over an obstacle (e.g. river, valley, road, railway line)
- The passage may be for a highway, railway traffic, pedestrian, canal, or pipe line
- Bridge engineering is a fascinating field in civil engineering, requiring expertise in many areas (e.g. structural analysis, geotechniques, traffic projection, surveying, runoff calculation, construction methods)
Components of a Bridge
- Classified according to the material of construction of superstructure (e.g. timber, steel, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, composite bridge)
- Classified according to the form or type of superstructure (e.g. slab, girder, truss, arch, cable stayed, suspension bridge)
Design Objectives
- Pleasing shapes: avoid stereotyped round or square columns and flat soffits to improve appearance
- Make all columns or piers of the same size for aesthetics and reusability of formwork
- Use ledges to break large expanses of concrete
- Slope the sides of box girders back under the bridge and give the edges a fillet to diminish the apparent depth
- Compatibility: bridges should fit their surroundings, they should look like they belong to the surrounding
Design Philosophy
- Different limit states may be defined, including:
- Fatigue and fracture limit state
- Extreme event limit states (e.g. ensure the structural survival of a bridge during a major earthquake or flood, or when collided by a vehicle, vessel, possibly under scoured conditions)
Test your knowledge on different types of bridges with examples like Abay Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and New River Gorge Bridge. Identify arch bridges, truss bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges in this quiz.
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