Integral and Semi-Integral Bridges

Worldwide, integral type bridges are being used in greater numbers in lieu of jointed bridges because of their structural simplicity, first-cost economy, and outstanding durability. In the UK and the US states of Tennessee and Missouri, for example, the construction of most moderate length bridges is based on the integral bridge concept. The state of Washington uses semi-integral bridges almost exclusively, while, depending on subfoundation characteristics, the state of Ohio and others use a mix of these two bridge types.

Integral and Semi-Integral Bridges has been written by a practicing bridge design engineer who has spent his entire career involved in the origination, evaluation and design of such bridges in the USA, where they have been in use since the late 1930’s. This work shows how the analytical complexity due to the elimination of movable joints can be minimized to negligible levels so that most moderate length bridges can be easily and quickly modified or replaced with either integral or semi-integral bridges.

Bridge design, construction, and maintenance engineers; bridge design administrators; graduate level engineering students and structural research professionals will all find this book exceptionally informative for a wide range of highway bridge applications.

Introduction.

1 Integral Bridges.

2 Bridge Damage and the Pavement G/P Phenomenon.

3 Integral Bridges: Attributes and Limitations.

4 Design of Integral Bridges: A Practitioner’s Approach.

5 Genesis of Integral Bridges.

6 Cracking of Concrete Decks and other Problems with Integral-Type Bridges.

7 Land of no Special Computations.

8 Semi-Integral Bridges: Movements and Forces.

9 Emergence of Semi-Integral Bridges.

10 Elementalistic and Holistic Views for the Evaluation and Design of Structure Movement Systems.

11 Awareness of Reality in Bridge Design.

Appendix 1 The Pavement G/P Phenomenon: The Neglected Aspect of Jointed Pavement Behavior.

Appendix 2 Glossary.

Appendix 3 Chapter Inset Image Captions

"Burke has spent decades designing and evaluating integral and semi-integral bridges—spans in which roadway joints are eliminated in order to increase bridge durability. … The author tells how to minimize structural and analysis complexities inherent to integral and semi-integral bridges." (Book News, December 2009) Martin P Burke Jr PE. Bgean his career at the Bureau of Bridges of the Ohio Department of Transportation where he remained as a career employee and served in all aspects of bridge engineering (design, construction, research, and inspection). After retiring from the Bureau as the Assistant Engineer of Bridges, he joined Burgess and Niple, Consulting Engineers and Architects, at its main office located in Columbus, Ohio. At Burgess and Niple, he served as a Staff Assistant and Technical Advisor for the Bridge Design Group. In that capacity, he was responsible for the conceptual design of major bridge projects, guiding the review of major bridge design, rehabilitation and construction projects, and guiding the inspection of major bridges. Subsequent to his retirement from Burgess and Niple, he established the firm of M. P. Burke Bridges, Inc. The typical jointed highway bridge consists of single- and multiple-span bridges with movable roadway joints. Such jointed bridges, in one form or another, have been constructed for centuries. Unfortunately, due to the present demand for dry highway pavements throughout the winter seasons and the consequent use of deicing chemicals, jointed highway bridges have been exposed to serious metal corrosion and concrete deterioration. This durability problem has been so severe that integral bridges are becoming very popular alternatives. Unfortunately, although the elimination of bridge roadway joints solves bridge durability problems, it significantly increases the structural and analysis complexity since bridge superstructures are no longer as free to respond to superimposed loadings and environmental changes.

Integral and Semi-Integral Bridges describes these complexities and shows how they can be minimized to the extent that the great majority of existing jointed bridges can be either replaced with integral bridges or modified with the semi-integral bridge concept.

At present, there is little guidance and few design specifications or codes that govern the design and construction of integral bridges. Consequently, the recommendations provided in this book suggest methods that can be used to produce suitable bridges for various application situations.