How Are Bridges Built?
As human beings started to expand across lands and territories, we had a structure to overcome natural obstacles and barriers.
Engineers exploited their tools to create bridges, answering the question of how are bridges made, linking us between towns and changing the whole landscape. The first method is used for bridges that are built in low-depth water.
In low-depth water, the foundation of the bridge is laid by filling the particular location for a temporary period, over which piers (a type of pillar can be built). After that, the foundation of the bridge(the pillars) is constructed inside the cofferdam
How Are Bridges Constructed?
Bridge structure, or how bridges are built, has undergone an immense transformation since the beginning of times, such as new sturdier materials, heavy machinery, and the bridge construction step-by-step process.
Bridge construction has experienced tremendous transformation since the beginning of occasion, such as fresh sturdier materials, heavy machinery, and new building methods.
Although the construction of bridges is a lot easier in modern times, bridge engineering involves precise physics, vast resources, and thorough planning before and during construction.
Before bridges have been constructed, planners must test the site for elements such as the soil strength, depth, and layout of their land.
Using computer-aided design, engineers can find a picture of this bridge’s behavior under different weights and weather requirements and determine the correct structure.
When the planning is complete, workers break ground on the worksite, harnessing a variety of materials and assembling structures to keep support even under the flow of gravity.
While bridges need careful and precise work, the basic fundamentals of the bridges are strong are made to stand are simple once broken down.
Factors Associated with Building Bridges:
Before you go into how bridges have been made, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. The bridges over water can be of both kinds – the floating ones along with the ones that are permanent.
Quite obviously, the floating ones aren’t permanent and are used only briefly. Hence, they don’t require a base. But permanent bridges require a foundation and therefore, there are three basic factors that will need to be considered.
- Condition of the site
- Technical ability and engineering ability of the contractor
- Technology is available in the country.
The first two variables are dependent on the engineers to measure. However, the factor of the availability of technical support depends entirely on the construction equipment that’s available.
For that matter, it has to be mentioned that there are a variety of types of construction equipment readily available on the market, That are specially designed to support bridge structures.
Steps of constructing a bridge:
When pondering how is a bridge built, especially over large water bodies like a very deep river or even the sea, the following bridge construction process steps are followed.
Constructing the Foundation:
To understand how to construct a bridge, especially the foundation, a bed is sunk within the waterbed from the top. It’s like a frame to the pillars that can hold the bridge in place. Following that, a service pier is made with the help of rigs.
Construction of Cofferdam:
Around the support rigs and pier, a Cofferdam is created. It’s a special type of wall that’s created surrounding the foundation. Constant pumping removes the water from the inside. The area is completely dried out, and after that, the foundation is created.
Bringing everything together:
Following the construction of the foundation, the support piers are thrown in the yard or cast in place. Sometimes, this process is done elsewhere, and afterward, barges are used to bring everything together.
After this is done, the gaps are joined with segments of concrete construction. Sometimes, the sections are supported by huge suspension cables. Since they’re drawn into place, they’re stitched together.
Although these are the most common methods of constructing a bridge, there are different methods as well, which can be followed to build the bridges.
Surely, the methods that can be followed for bridges from shallow water differ from those from heavy water.
Different Types of Planning in Bridge Construction
The major steps, or the x, that are involved in the planning for bridge construction are:
- Study on Need for Bridge
- Â Traffic Assessment
- Location study
- Detailed Project Report
- Implementation
- Reconnaissance Study
- Study of alternatives
- Feasible alternative study
- Â Preliminary Engineering
- Developing plans
- Preliminary design and costing
- Evaluation of alternatives, risk analysis, and final choice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Bridge Construction:
What factors determine the construction of a bridge?
Factors such as the condition of the site, technical expertise of the contractor, and availability of construction technology play crucial roles in determining the feasibility and method of bridge construction.
What are the steps involved in building a bridge foundation?
Building a bridge foundation typically involves sinking a bed into the waterbed to create a frame for pillars, constructing support piers with the help of rigs, and creating a cofferdam around the foundation area to pump out water and facilitate construction.
How are bridge segments brought together during construction?
After the foundation is constructed, support piers are either cast in place or assembled elsewhere and then brought to the site, often using barges. The segments are then joined together, sometimes with the assistance of suspension cables, to form the bridge structure.
What types of planning are involved in bridge construction?
Planning for bridge construction encompasses various stages, including studying the need for the bridge, assessing traffic requirements, conducting location studies, preparing detailed project reports, and implementing the construction process. Preliminary engineering, which involves developing plans, designing, and evaluating alternatives, is also a crucial part of the planning phase.
Are there different methods for constructing bridges over shallow versus deep water?
Yes, the methods for constructing bridges over shallow water differ from those used for deep water. In shallow water, foundations can often be built by filling the area temporarily and constructing piers, whereas in deeper water, more complex techniques such as cofferdams may be required to create dry work areas for construction.
