Notes for MPSC, SSC, RAILWAY, MSEB, PWD, IRRIGATION & OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMS – (BRIDGE ENGG.

) -1-

BRIDGE ENGG.

Live Load for Foot Bridge and Footways Arch Bridges

• For all parts of bridge floors accessible only to
pedestrians and for all footways the loading should be
400 kg/m3.
• Where crowd loads are likely to occur the loading should
be 500 kg/m3.
• Kerbs 0.6 meter or more in width should be designed
for the above loads and for a local lateral force of 750
kg/m applied horizontally at the top of the kerb.
• If the kerb width is less than 0.6 meter, no live load
should be applied in addition to the lateral load specified
above.
• The main girders, trusses, arches or other members
supporting the footways should be designed for the
following live loads per square meter of footway area –
o For effective spans of 7.5 meters or less 400 kg/m2
and for crowded locations 500 kg/m2.
o For effective spans of over 7.5 meters, but not
exceeding 30 meters, the intensity of load should be
determined according to the formula –
40𝐿 − 300
𝑃 =𝑃−$ *
9
Well Foundations
Caissons: It is a structure used for the purpose of placing a
foundation in correct position under water. It is member with
hollow portion, which after installing in place by any means
is filled with concrete or other material. It can be dividing in
the following three groups –
1) Box caissons: It is a strong water light vessel open at top
and close at the bottom. They are generally built of
timber reinforced concrete and steel. This type of caisson
is suitable where bearing stratum is available at shallow
depth and where loads are not very heavy.
2) Open caissons or wells: These are open both at the top
and at the bottom. They are used on sandy or soft bearing
stratum liable to scour and where no firm bed is available
for large depth below the surface. They are generally built
of timber, metal, reinforced concrete or masonry. They
form the most common type of deep foundations for
bridges in India.
3) Pneumatic caissons: It is open at bottom and closed at
top. This is useful at locations where it is not possible to
adopt wells. They are suitable when the depth of water is
more than 12m. In this, the compressed air is used to
remove water from the working chamber and the
foundation work is carried out dry conditions.
• These are commonly used from times immemorial.
• They are more graceful, pleasing in appearance and
suited for deep gorges within rocky sides.
• These bridges can be economically used upto spans of
about 200 m.
Suspension Bridges
• These are used in places where it is difficult to adopt
other types of bridges.
• They are economically used even for every large spans.
• Generally, they are single span bridges.
Fig: Simple Suspension Bridge
• In modern age, a suspension bridge is the only solution
for spans in excess of 600m.
• Generally, the side span to main span ratio in case of
suspension bridges varies between 0.17 to 0.50.
• The span to depth ratio for the stiffening truss lies
between 85 to 100 for spans upto 1000m and rises
steeply to 178 for 1330m span.
Movable Steel Bridges
• These bridges are sometimes used over the navigable
channels where permanent and sufficient clear waterway
cannot be provided.
• They are needed in order to provide a passage for the
masted vessels or steamers, when the bridge is to be
across a navigable river or dock.
• Movable bridges are of the following types –
1. Swing bridges 2. Bascule bridges
3. Traverser bridges 4. Transporter bridges
5. Lift bridges
Viaduct
It is a long continuous structure which carries a road or railway
like a bridge over a dry valley composed of series of spans over
trestle bents instead of solid piers.

PROF. K. K. MOTWANI MOTWANI COACHING CLASSES

BE (VNIT, 6 GOLD MEDALS), M. TECH (UNIVERSITY TOPPER), IES (3 TIMES SELECTION),
Ph. No. 9823114447
MPSC (TOPPER), EX. PROF. (YCCE), 25 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Notes for MPSC, SSC, RAILWAY, MSEB, PWD, IRRIGATION & OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMS – (BRIDGE ENGG.) -2-

Curtain Wall c. Masonry Arch Bridges: They are usually strengthened by

It is a thin wall used as a protection against scouring action of
a stream.
Strengthening of Bridges
Strengthening of Bridge Substructure: The substructure is
strengthened in the following different ways:
first removing the filling above the arch, and then casting
and R.C.C. arch slab on the top of the roughened
extrados. The slab is securely keyed into the abutments.
(Figure).

1. Masonry Substructure:
• In case of old masonry substructures showing signs
of disintegrations, all the loose material all around
the structure is removed to find out the defect.
• If it is found that the masonry has large cavities, then
they should be filled with cement concrete.
• Later, a wire netting should be stretched around the d. Continuous Bridges: They are strengthened by method
entire masonry & fastened thereto with spikes. similar to that of single span. Care should be taken that
• Finally, a coat of cement mortar is forced by a gun. when a span is being strengthened the adjacent span is
2. Strengthening of Bridge Pier: not weakened.
• In order to strengthen an old pier a cofferdam is
e. Steel Bridges: They are strengthened by providing extra
constructed around the pier.
steel plates or angles or concrete encasement.
• A thick concrete casing is provided all around the
pier after pumping out the water.
Suspension Bridges: They are usually strengthened by
• Sometimes, piles are driven in the open space
providing additional cables with fasteners.
between the old pier and the cofferdam, in order to
strengthen the weak foundation.
Bridge Numbering
• Later, good cement concrete is filled around the old
• To keep the record of bridges, they are numbered.
construction.
• Each bridge or culvert is designated by a fraction in
Strengthening of Bridge Superstructure: Method of which km in which the structure is located is written as
strengthening a bridge superstructure depends upon the type numerator and the serial number of the structure as
of the bridge. The following methods for different types of denominator.
bridges are in vogue. • For ex. The 6th bridge/culvert in 25th km (between 24
and 25 km. stone) will be designated as 25/6.
a. R.C.C. Slab Bridges: The strength of an existing
R.C.C. slab can be increased considerably by providing
***
a cement concrete overlay after cleaning and providing a
coat of cement slurry at the old surface. Sufficient bond
strength is developed between the old and new concrete
so as to enable both to act monolithic.

b. R.C.C. Beam and Slab Bridges: In this type, the beams

are strengthened by providing steel I-beams on each side
of the existing beams. In case of longer spans the load
from the existing beams are directly taken away by steel
cross girders supported on steel built up girders.
(Figure).

PROF. K. K. MOTWANI MOTWANI COACHING CLASSES

BE (VNIT, 6 GOLD MEDALS), M. TECH (UNIVERSITY TOPPER), IES (3 TIMES SELECTION),
Ph. No. 9823114447
MPSC (TOPPER), EX. PROF. (YCCE), 25 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE