Bridge Design

Content

This course presents the fundamentals of bridge design. It covers the entire range from conceptual design to construction, encompassing all relevant building materials. The focus lies on the structural behaviour of today’s most important bridge typologies and their suitability for certain boundary conditions, the dimensioning of the main structural elements as well as construction methods.

Learning objectives

• Define the main bridge design parameters and identify constraints and boundary conditions
• Explain the structural behaviour and peculiarities of today’s most important bridge typologies
• Explain the main elements of bridges and their structural behaviour
• Define the relevant actions on bridges
• Dimension a standard bridge (pre-dimensioning by hand; dimensioning using computer-aided tools)
• Explain the most relevant bridge construction and erection methods
• Select an appropriate typology and conceive a convincing bridge for a site with its specific boundary conditions

Primary Material

• Kaufmann, W., Bridge Design, Lecture notes, ETH Zurich, 2019/20
  [Provided on this page]
• Menn, C., “Prestressed Concrete Bridges“, Birkhäuser Basel, 1990
  [Publisher’s page, ETH Library]
• Hirt, M., Lebet, J.P., “Steel Bridges“, EPFL Press, New York, 2013
  [Publisher’s page, ETH Library]
• Structural design codes SIA 260-267 & 269 (With emphasis on 260-264)
• Eurocodes, EN 1990-1999 (With emphasis on 1990:2002, 1991-2:2003, 1992-2:2005, 1993-2:2006, 1994-2:2005)

Supplementary References

• Melan, J. & Steinman, D.B., “Theory of Arches and Suspension Bridges“, Clark Publishing Co., 1913
• Podolny, W. & Muller, J.M., “Construction and Design of Prestressed Concrete Segmental Bridges“, Wiley, 1982
• Leonhardt, F., “Bridges – Aesthetics and Design“, MIT Press, 1984
• Hambly, E.C., “Bridge Deck Behaviour“, E&FN Spon, London, 1991
• Troitsky, M.S., “Planning and Design of Bridges“, Wiley, 1994
• Reis, A.J. & Oliveira Pedro, J.J, “Bridge Design – Concepts and Analysis“, Wiley, 2019
• Manterola, J., “Puentes – Apuntes para su diseño, cálculo y construcción“, Madrid, 2005
• Scheer, J., “Failed Bridges – Case Studies, Causes and Consequences“, Ernst & Sohn, 2010
• Gimsing, N.J. & Georgakis, C.T., “Cable Supported Bridges“, Wiley, 2012
• Rosignoli, M., “Bridge Construction Equipment“, ICE, 2013
• Keil, A., “Pedestrian Bridges – Ramps, Walkways, Stuctures“, DETAIL, 2013
• North American Codes and Standards:
  – AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
  – CSA S6 – Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code