Design of Bridges

Bridge design is a multidisciplinary activity. It requires a good knowledge and under-

standing of a variety of aspects well beyond structural engineering. Road and railway

design, geotechnical and hydraulic engineering, urban planning or environmental

impact and landscape integration are key aspects. Architectural, aesthetic and environ-

mental aspects are nowadays recognized as main engineering issues for bridge design-

ers. However, these subjects cannot be studied independently of structural and

construction aspects, such as the bridge erection method. On the other hand, what

differentiates bridge design from building design, for example, is generally the role of

the bridge engineer as a leader of the design process. Hence, the first aim of this book is

to present an overview on all these aspects, discussing from the first bridge concepts to

analysis in a unified approach to bridge design.

The choice of structural materials and the options for a specific bridge type are part

of the design process. Therefore, the second aim of the book is to discuss concepts and

principles of bridge design for the most common cases – steel, concrete or composite

bridges. Good bridge concepts should be based on simple models, reflecting the struc-

tural behaviour and justifying design options. Sophisticated modelling nowadays adopts

available software, most useful at advanced stages of the design process. However, it

should be borne in mind that complex modelling does not make necessarily a good

bridge concept.

The methodology to select the appropriate bridge typology and structural material is

discussed in the first four chapters of this book. Examples, mainly from the authors’

design experiences, are included. General aspects and bridge design data are presented

in Chapter 2. Actions on bridges are included in Chapter 3 with reference to the

Eurocodes. Structural safety concepts for bridge structures and limit state design

criteria are also outlined in this chapter. Chapter 4 includes the conceptual design of

bridge super‐ and substructures. Basic concepts for prestressed concrete, steel or steel

Preface

xvi Preface

concrete composite bridges, with slab, slab‐girder and box girder decks are dealt with.

These topics are discussed in relation to superstructures and execution methods such

as classical falsework, formwork launching girders, incremental launching and balanced

cantilevering. Bridge substructures are referred to in Chapter 4 as well, namely for the

basic typologies of bridge piers, abutments and foundations.

Architectural, environmental, and aesthetic aspects that could be adopted as primary

guidelines when developing a bridge concept are addressed in Chapter 5. Principles are

explained on the basis of design cases from the authors’ design practices. Of course, this

could have been done on the basis of many other bridges. However, it is sometimes

difficult to comment on bridge aesthetics while not being aware of design, cost or

execution constraints faced by other designers.

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