Introduction of Bridge
Human beings have been constructing pier bridges for about four thousand years. The oldest and still existing bridge in the world is perhaps the Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province in China, originally constructed approximately in A.D. 600.
However, bridge design and construction then may not be considered bridge engineering practice by today’s definition. Instead, work was done based more on experience as opposed to quantitative planning as done now.
Bridge engineering today uses calculus-based analysis and detailed planning.
Materials used in bridge construction have also changed noticeably through a good number of years, from mainly natural materials such as stones and wood than to mainly man-made materials such as steel and Portland cement concrete today.
Due to great improvement in the strength and production quality control of these materials, bridge components have become smaller, thinner, skinnier, and lighter to reduce self-weight and be more economical.
In 1866 Ways and Koenen in Germany conducted a series of tests on reinforced concrete beams (Heins and Lawrie, 1984), which started the era of concrete for bridge construction.
More tests and research work were done in the following decades. The first bridge using reinforced concrete in the world was credited to Monier in 1867 (Heins and Lawrie, 1984).
The first bridges using steel are believed to be constructed in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1880s.
These pioneering projects began what is known today as modern bridge engineering. Another important aspect characterizing modem bridge engineering is the tools used to perform quantitative modeling and planning.
They include calculus and calculus-based mechanics, acknowledged as the foundation of modem bridge engineering as practiced today.
This knowledge was established in the seventeenth century. With the new materials and advanced analysis tools, the fast development of modem bridge engineering had its technical strength.
The fuel for substantial developments of bridge engineering was the need or desire for economic development.
For example, today’s highway bridge technology in the United States is largely a result of the rapid development of the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s after World War II.
As a product, a comprehensive highway system has been established, consisting of about 50,000 miles of roadways and about 600,000 bridges.
It is also interesting to mention that a number of developing countries are currently experiencing a similar “boom” in their surface transportation systems.
This has become the driving force for bridge engineering development in those parts of the world.
Types of Bridge
- Bridges by Structure
- Arch Bridges
- Beam Bridges
- Truss Bridges
- Cantilever Bridges
- Tied Arch Bridges
- Suspension Bridges
- Cable-Stayed Bridges
- Fixed or Moveable Types
- Fixed Bridges
- Temporary Bridges
- Moveable Bridges
- Pedestrian Bridges
- Types by Use
- Pedestrian Bridges
- Double-decked Bridges
- Train Bridges
- Pipeline Bridges
- Aqueducts
- Commercial Bridges
- Types by Materials
- Natural Materials
- Wood
- Stone
- Concrete and Steel
- Advanced Materials
- Fictional and Mythical Bridges
Parts of Bridge Structures
- Major Parts of Bridge Structures as below
- Superstructure
- Decks
- Bearings
- Foundation
- Girder or Beam
- Substructure Components
- Bridge Tower
- Pier Cap
- Pier
- Pile Cap and Piles
- Bridge Anchor
- Suspension Cable
What is Pier?Â
Although piers are designed to resist vertical loads, it is becoming common to design piers into resisting high lateral loads caused by seismic events.
Even in some low seismic areas, designers are paying more attention to this ductility aspect of the design.
These Piers are predominantly constructed using reinforced concrete. This Steel, to a lesser degree, is also used for piers. The Steel tubes filled with concrete columns have gained more attention recently.
The piers or columns for conventional bridges, such as grade separations, overcrossing, overheads, underpasses, and simple river crossings.
Reinforced concrete columns will be discussed in detail, while steel and composite columns will be briefly discussed.
Substructures for arch, suspension, segmental, cable-stayed, and movable bridges are excluded from the substructures for some of these special types of bridges.
Bridge Piers
The bridge piers can be constructed to be substantially attractive and strong in order to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.
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Types of Bridge Piers
1. Solid Piers
a. Solid Masonry Piers
b. Solid Reinforced Concrete Piers
2. Open Pier
a. Cylindrical Piers
b. Column Piers or Column Bent
c. Pile Pier or Pile Bents
d. Trestle Pier or Trestle Bent
e. Masonry Piers
f. Mass Concrete Piers
g. Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Piers
h. Fixed Piers
i. Hammerhead or Cantilevered Piers
j. Special Shaped Bent
k. V-Shaped Concrete Pier
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Bridge Engineering
What are the oldest types of bridges still in existence?
The oldest types of bridges still in existence are likely pier bridges, with examples such as the Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province, China, dating back to approximately A.D. 600.
How has bridge engineering evolved over time?
Bridge engineering has evolved from early, experience-based construction methods to today’s calculus-based analysis and detailed planning. Materials have also transitioned from natural substances like stone and wood to man-made materials such as steel and concrete.
What initiated the use of concrete in bridge construction?
Concrete for bridge construction gained prominence after Ways and Koenen’s tests on reinforced concrete beams in 1866. The first credited bridge using reinforced concrete was built by Monier in 1867.
When did steel bridges become prevalent?
Steel bridges began to gain prevalence in the 1880s, with pioneering projects in the United Kingdom and the United States marking the start of modern bridge engineering.
What factors have driven the development of bridge engineering?
Economic development has been a significant driver for bridge engineering advancements. For example, in the United States, the rapid development of the interstate highway system in the 1950s and 1960s led to substantial advancements in highway bridge technology.
What are the main types of bridges based on structure?
Bridges can be categorized into several types based on structure, including arch bridges, beam bridges, truss bridges, cantilever bridges, tied arch bridges, suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges.
What are the major components of bridge structures?
Bridge structures consist of superstructure components like decks and bearings, as well as substructure components like piers, foundations, girders or beams, bridge towers, and suspension cables.
What is the purpose of bridge piers?
Bridge piers provide vertical support for spans at intermediate points, transferring vertical superstructure loads to the foundations and resisting horizontal forces acting on the bridge.
What are the different types of bridge piers?
Bridge piers come in various forms, including solid piers (solid masonry or reinforced concrete), open piers (cylindrical, column, pile, trestle, etc.), and special-shaped piers (hammerhead, V-shaped, etc.), each designed to withstand vertical and horizontal loads.
What materials are commonly used in constructing bridge piers?
Reinforced concrete is predominantly used in constructing bridge piers, although steel may also be employed to a lesser extent. Modern innovations include steel tubes filled with concrete columns for enhanced strength and durability.
