STEEL BRIDGE

PREPARED BY: CHRISTIAN J. EJOC

 STEEL BRIDGE
 Steel bridges are widely used around the world in
different structural forms with different span length,
such as highway bridges, railway bridges, and
footbridges.
The main advantages of structural
steel over other construction
materials are its strength, ductility,
easy fabrication, and rapid
construction. It has a much higher
strength in both tension and
compression than concrete, and
relatively good strength to cost ratio
and stiffness to weight ratio. Steel is
a versatile and effective material
that provides efficient and
sustainable solutions for bridge
construction, particularly for long
span bridges or bridges requiring
enhanced seismic performance.
CLASSIFICATION OF STEEL BRIDGES:
Steel bridges are classified according to the Type of traffic carried,
type of main structural system and the position of carriageway
relative to the main structural system.
 Classification based on type of traffic carried
Bridges are classified as:

• Highway or road bridges

• Railway or rail bridges
• Road – cum – rail bridges
 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

• 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.
• Rigid frame bridges
- Rigid frame bridges are suitable in the span range of 25 m to 200 m.

• Arch bridges
• 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.

• 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.
 Classification of Bridges based on the position of carriageway:
• Deck type bridge
- The carriageway rests on the top of the main load carrying members.

• Through type bridge

- The carriageway rests at the bottom level of the main load carrying members.

• Semi through type bridge

- The deck lies in between the top and the bottom of the main load carrying
members.
DAMAGES IN STEEL BRIDGES

• CORROSION - Corrosion is a common problem for steel bridges,

and it is the gradual destruction of steel by chemical reaction with
their environment.

• FATIGUE - Fatigue failure of steel bridges is another significant

problem affecting the remaining service life of existing steel
bridges. In general, fatigue can be defined as the weakening of
steel materials or accumulation of damage at a localized region
caused by cyclic loading or repeatedly applied loads.

• LARGE DEFORMATION - The large deformations in steel

bridges may happen due to the out-of-plane deformation or
buckling of steel members caused by the local stress
concentration, overlarge external load, impact, or seismic load.
ADVANTAGES OF STEEL BRIGE OVER CONCRETE BRIDGE
• Decreased Weight—One of the biggest advantages of steel is weight savings,
which means lower erection costs, since the bridge pieces can be handled with
lighter equipment.
• Faster Erection—Steel components are made to closer tolerances, which often
translates into faster erection.
• Lighter Foundations—If the substructure and superstructure are designed
properly, the lighter weight of steel will allow lighter foundations than for
concrete.
• Structural Efficiency—Generally, it’s easier to make spans continuous for both
live and dead loads and to develop composite action with steel designs rather
than with concrete ones.
• Longer Spans—Steel permits cost-effective longer spans for crossing streams,
lakes, wetlands, and environmentally protected areas. The long spans may
eliminate or at least minimize environmental impact.
• Lighter Weight—Construction impact on an environment is lessened because the
lighter weight of steel increases a crane’s reach. Also for the same span length,
the contractor can use smaller cranes and other equipment.
• Faster Construction—Steel bridge structures can be erected quickly while habitat
creatures are still in hibernation or otherwise dormant.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STEEL AND CONCRETE
STEEL

Advantages to using steel:

• Steel is very strong in both tension and compression and therefore has
high compressive and tensile strengths.
• Steel is a ductile material and it yields or deflects before failure.
• Steel is usually assembled relatively quickly.

Disadvantages to using steel:

• Steel is expensive compared to concrete and wood.

• Steel can rust when exposed to some environmental conditions thus
reducing its strength.
• Steel is a heavy material and thus reduces the allowable span of the
member when considered for use as a beam.
CONCRETE

Advantages to using concrete:

• Concrete is extremely strong in compression and therefore has a high
compressive strength.
• Concrete is inexpensive compared to steel.
• Using forms, concrete can be made into practically any shape.

Disadvantages to using concrete:

• Concrete is a brittle material and can crack or break with little warning.
• Concrete is very weak when a tension force is applied to it and therefore
has a very low tensile strength. (To address this weakness, steel is often
embedded within the concrete at locations where tension forces are
known to exist, making reinforced concrete. In a concrete beam, the steel
would be placed along the bottom of the beam.)
• Because a certain amount of time is needed for hydration to completely
occur, concrete members do not gain their full strength until much time
has passed.
CHOOSING MATERIALS
Material sources: The source of materials must be considered to keep transport
costs and resultant emissions to a minimum. The heavier or more bulky materials
are, the greater the transport costs will be – where possible, heavy and bulky
materials in particular should be sourced locally.

Availability: Availability may influence material selection decisions. Long delivery

lead-in times must be allowed for as delays may cause project hold-ups and cost
and energy losses.

Cost: Cost considerations must include the initial cost of purchase and the life
cycle costs of materials. Life cycle costs include maintenance, replacement,
demolition and disposal. Maintenance cost considerations must also factor in
additional environmental costs such as the emission of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) when repainting.

Transport to site: The further materials must be transported, the greater the
financial and emissions costs will be. Heavy or bulky products will have greater
transport costs than lighter weight materials.