Design Group 9

-Bharath Shetty Thukkappa

-Dilan Stanislaus
-Medhi Aliee
-Sailesh Sedhian

Introduction
The project involves construction of bridge for a fast track railway bridge
which is running on a countryside over the existing highway and railway. A
new high speed railway line is proposed between two major UK cities in
UK. At one point the new railway crosses a major motorway and railway
line. Therefore a new structure has to be designed for that crossing.
This new railway line has aroused much local and national interest so an
elegant solution appropriate for country side location has to be provided.

Consultant Responsibilities
As a consultant we are to carry out a feasibility study for new bridge and
overall scope can be summarized as:
a) Consideration of two distinct and viable structural solution for the
bridge.
b) Selection of one clear recommendation to the client with reasons.
c) Finally a detailed structural design for the recommended option.

General Details of Project

a) Site
Plan and Elevation of bridge center line is shown below.

Clear span of the bridge is 310m with 80m wide motorway and 50m wide
railway line in between. Elevation of new rail line is 13m from level of
existing railway line. The highway has a 80m wide x 6m height clearance
and railway has a 50m wide x 8m height clearance. No structures are
allowed to build in these clearance, but the foundation can be constructed
in space between existing railway and highway but interrupting cost has
to be paid.

Summary of Project Details:

Clear Span of Bridge: 310m

Deck Level From Ground: 13m
Existing Highway: 80m wide x 6m height clearance.
Existing Railway: 50m wide x 8m height clearance.
And no structures are allowed in that zone.
Foundation can be constructed in space between existing railway
and highway but a lump sum cost has to be included for access
management.

The cross section has of bridge has a ballast of thickness 0.4m and on
which two lines of railway runs. The minimum width of bridge has to be
11.84m which include 0.7m width on both side for walkway. On both side
a parapet wall with acoustic barrier has to be provided.

Constraints of project
The projects is associated with different constraints which can be
summarized as:

Design Constrains
o An elegant solution suitable for country side location
o No structures allowed in clearance zone of highway and
railway which imposes atleast two spans being 80m and 50m.
o Also that clearance envelope limits the deck depth upto 5m.
Construction Constraints
Land between existing railway and highway can be used for
foundation but requiring a lump sum payment for traffic and
access management.
Closure of motorway and railway has be minimized as much
as possible requiring finding of better construction
methodology.

Design Alternatives
Several design options suitable for this site has been explored some of
which are shown in diagram below and among them considering several
factors a single pylon cable stayed bridge and a Truss Arch Bridge has
been selected for further study and design.

Purposed Option
Option I
A steel truss arch bridge (Tied Arch Bridge) with central arch of 182m span
and 50m high with truss system on remaining 64m on each side is
planned.

Option II
The second option is with asymmetric cable stayed bridge of modified fan
type of cable arrangement which consists of single 150m pylon.

FIG PYLON

Option I Steel Truss Arch Bridge (Tied Arch Bridge)

Our first option is the tied steel arch bridge. This consists of arch above
deck and this type of structure is aesthetically very pleasing. Along with
aesthetics this tied arch bridge can span a long distance with which
existing highway and railway can be easily covered without intruding their
clearance zone.
We have proposed the initial idea of having central arch of 182m span and
approximate height of 50m from foundation. The top and bottom chord
are at a distance of 3m distance consisting of proper bracing throughout.
The two opposite arches well braced in between them and consist of
hanger cables to support the deck.
The remaining length of bridge is supported by trusses of span 64m on
both side which has the approximate 3m distance from top and bottom
chord. The deck system is made up of composite deck.
Arch bridges have to be built in a very specific and careful way. This
requires a very large amount of labor and time to construct. Usually high
level of maintenance and upkeep is needed in order to ensure that the
bridge remains safe. This includes repairing damage caused by wind, rain,
and other types of storms.
The total approximated cost is around 12million pounds which is high
compared to other bridge types.

Summary of Proposed Option I

Central Arch
o Span of Arch: 182m
o Height of Arch: 50m
o Distance of Top and Bottom Chord: 3m
Trusses
o Span of trusses: 64m on each side
o Distance of Top and Bottom Chord: 3m

Deck System
o Composite Deck
Cost Estimation
o Total Cost Approximate 12 million
Features of Arch Bridge System
o Aesthetically arch bridge can be pleasing
o Large sections might be required which can make fabrication
costly
o Higher maintenance and inspection costs
o Usually require painting at regular intervals.

Load Transfer Mechanism of Tied Arch Bridge

The hangers transfer the loads from deck to arch ribs which works under
compression, is internally balanced by the tensioned deck.

Construction Methodology:

Option II Cable Stayed Bridge

Cable stayed bridge is quite popular for long spans and we are also
proposing one solution as cable stayed bridge. We are proposing cable

stayed bridge with asymmetric spans 180m on one side and 130m on
other side. We have cable arrangement of modified fan type which is
anchored to single pylon of 150m high.
The pylon is built-up tower consisting of four rectangular box hollow
section of 1.5 m x 1.5m connected by bracings making stiff as well as
laterally stable. The cables are anchored 5 to 8m apart on deck and about
2m in Pylon and total cable will be 130.
The deck we are proposing is steel orthotropic deck of depth 3m and with
proper ribs and stiffeners. The purpose of steel deck is of more durable,
light weight when compared to concrete and can be constructed in
modular way speeding up overall construction period.

Proposed Options
Option II
Cable Stayed Bridge
Features:
Span 310m
Height of pylon: 150m
Pylon consists of 4 towers of 1.5x1.5m section
No of cables: Total 138
Cable System: Modified Fan
Foundation pad 10mx10mx3m
Deck system: Steel Orthotropic Deck
Cost Estimation
Total Cost Approximate 10 million
Cable Stayed Bridge
Aesthetically Very Pleasing
Greater stiffness
Roadway deck integral to structure
Cantilevered construction helps environmental impacts
Modular construction of decks can speed up entire
construction
Usually require less overall maintenance
Closed Decks can be fitted with dehumidifier so that
rusting can prevented and require less painting

Deck Design

 Use of Orthotropic Steel Deck

Main Advantages Are
Durability
Expediency in construction
Can be constructed in modular way
Light weight compared to concrete
Option 1: Cable stayed bridge:
The second option is with asymmetric cable stayed bridge of modified fan
type which consists of single pylon at 180m from one side. The pylon is
made up of two rectangular box shape of approximate 1.5mx1.5m of
length around 150m height in which are braced properly in between them.
Similarly the pylon arrangement is made on other side with proper bracing
of both. There are around 30 cables on both side which are placed at a
distance of around 5 to 8m and total of 130 cables on both side to support
the deck.
The deck is of steel orthotropic deck of depth around 3m and with proper
ribs and stiffeners. The purpose of steel deck is of more durable, light
weight when compared to concrete and can be constructed in modular
way. As it is asymmetric the pylon has to be balanced by the proper
cables on both sides.

Load transfer:
The load on the deck is transferred to cable through tension which is
supported by the pylon which is in compression and that is transferred to
the foundation.

Future maintenance:

Cost estimation:

Selection Between Options

The Selection of final option is based on different criteria like
viability, aesthetics, cost, construction methods etc.
Comparison of the purposed bridges the arch and cable stayed bridge,
the cable stayed is recommended because of its light weight, less cost,
more aesthetic, ease of construction, less maintenance and more durable.
Finally, this structure will surely become a landmark and this location will
get recognition which might bring different opportunities for locals.