Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. A.R.
Santha Kumar
7.3 Classification of steel bridges
Steel bridges are classified according to
· the type of traffic carried
· the type of main structural system
· the position of the carriage way relative to the main structural system
These are briefly discussed in this section.
7.3.1 Classification based on type of traffic carried
Bridges are classified as
· Highway or road bridges
· Railway or rail bridges
· Road - cum - rail bridges
7.3.2 Classification based on the main structural system
Many different types of structural systems are used in bridges depending
upon the span, carriageway width and types of traffic. Classification, according to
make up of main load carrying system, is as follows:
(i) Girder bridges - Flexure or bending between vertical supports is the main
structural action in this type. Girder bridges may be either solid web girders or
truss girders or box girders. Plate girder bridges are adopted for simply
supported spans less than 50 m and box girders for continuous spans upto 250
m. Cross sections of a typical plate girder and box girder bridges are shown in
Fig.7.2 (a) and Fig. 7.2(b) respectively. Truss bridges [See Fig.7. 2(c)] are
suitable for the span range of 30 m to 375 m. Cantilever bridges have been built
with success with main spans of 300 m to 550 m. In the next chapter girder
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
bridges are discussed in detail. They may be further, sub-divided into simple
spans, continuous spans and suspended-and-cantilevered spans, as illustrated
in Fig.7. 3.
Fig.7.2 (a) Plate girder bridge section
Fig.7.2 (b) Box girder bridge section
Fig.7.2 (c) Some of the trusses used in steel bridges
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
Fig.7.3 Typical girder bridges
(ii) Rigid frame bridges - In this type, the longitudinal girders are made
structurally continuous with the vertical or inclined supporting member by means
of moment carrying joints [Fig.7.4]. Flexure with some axial force is the main
forces in the members in this type. Rigid frame bridges are suitable in the span
range of 25 m to 200 m.
Fig.7.4 Typical rigid frame bridge
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
(iii) Arch bridges
Fig.7.5 Typical arch bridges
The loads are transferred to the foundations by arches acting as the main
structural element. Axial compression in arch rib is the main force, combined with
some bending. Arch bridges are competitive in span range of 200 m to 500 m.
Examples of arch bridges are shown in Fig. 7.5.
(iv) Cable stayed bridges - Cables in the vertical or near vertical planes
support the main longitudinal girders. These cables are hung from one or more
tall towers, and are usually anchored at the bottom to the girders. Cable stayed
bridges are economical when the span is about 150 m to 700 m. Layout of cable
stayed bridges are shown in Fig. 7.6.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
Fig.7.6 Layout of cable stayed bridges
(v) Suspension bridges - The bridge deck is suspended from cables
stretched over the gap to be bridged, anchored to the ground at two ends and
passing over tall towers erected at or near the two edges of the gap. Currently,
the suspension bridge is best solution for long span bridges. Fig. 7.7 shows a
typical suspension bridge. Fig. 7.8 shows normal span range of different bridge
types.
Fig.7.7 Suspension bridge
7.3.3 Classification based on the position of carriageway
The bridges may be of the "deck type", "through type" or "semi-through
type". These are described below with respect to truss bridges:
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
(i) Deck type bridge - The carriageway rests on the top of the main load
carrying members. In the deck type plate girder bridge, the roadway or railway is
placed on the top flanges. In the deck type truss girder bridge, the roadway or
railway is placed at the top chord level as shown in Fig. 7.9(a).
Fig.7.8 Normal span ranges of bridge system
Fig.7.9 Typical deck, through and semi-through type truss bridges
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Design of Steel Structures Prof. [Link] Kumar and Prof. [Link] Kumar
(ii) Through type bridge - The carriageway rests at the bottom level of the
main load carrying members [Fig. 7.9(b)]. In the through type plate girder bridge,
the roadway or railway is placed at the level of bottom flanges. In the through
type truss girder bridge, the roadway or railway is placed at the bottom chord
level. The bracing of the top flange or lateral support of the top chord under
compression is also required.
(iii) Semi through type bridge - The deck lies in between the top and the
bottom of the main load carrying members. The bracing of the top flange or top
chord under compression is not done and part of the load carrying system project
above the floor level as shown in Fig. 7.9(c). The lateral restraint in the system is
obtained usually by the U-frame action of the verticals and cross beam acting
together.
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