Girder Bridge Design Example

Preliminary dimensions
 Center to center of support = 16.6 m
 Clear bridge width = 7.32 m
 Number of girders = 3
 Number of lanes = 2
 Girder depth = 0.07 * span = 0.07 * 16.6 =1.162 m
 The design depth of a normal girder bridge may vary between 7-10% of the span
length depending on the number of beams used. If possible, a high stem of beam
is preferred to a certain extent, both technically and economically.
SPEC ......PAGE1
 Girder depth provided = 1.3 m
 Web width = 0.38 m
 Clear span between the girders = 2.22 m
 Top slab thickness = 0.22 m
 Overhang slab thickness at the exterior girder support = 0.22 m
 Overhang slab thickness at the end of edge beam = 0.18 m
 Edge beam depth from side = 0.4 m
 Average depth of edge beam beneath bottom of slab level = 0.214 m
 Width of edge beam = 0.4 m
 Total width of super structure = 8.12 m
 Total number of diaphragm = 3
 Center to center distance between diaphragm = 8.3 m
 Diaphragm depth = 1 m
 Diaphragm width = 0.25 m
 Face of railing/curb to end of slab = 0.4 m
 School of Civil Engineering __ ________ ____Chapter 3:-Superstructures Design_

Materials
 Type of concrete
 f’c=20MPa;
 Unit weight of concrete =25 KN/m3
 Modulus of elasticity of concrete = 4800√f’c = 4800 √20 = 21,466.25MPa
 Modulus of rupture of concrete = 0.63√f’c = 0.63 √20 = 2.82MPa
 Type of steel:
 For bars greater than 20 mm diameter, fy = 400MPa
 For bars less than or equal to 20 mm diameter, fy = 350MPa
 Modulus of elasticity of steel = 200,000MPa

A. Design of overhang slab

 Distance between post and curb end
= 0.05 m
 Distance between back of railing and
end of curb = 0.15 m
 Width of post = 0.3x0.25 m;
Height of post = 0.8 m;
Center to center of post = 1.5 m;
 Width of railing = 0.25 m;
 Depth of railing = 0.3 m;

Loading
Take unit weight of concrete = 25 KN/m3
Take unit weight of bitumen wearing surface =
22.5 KN/m3
The overhang slab ranges between 0.18m to
0.22m
Overhang Slab
Assume thickness of wearing surface 5cm

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Dead load
Item Weight(KN/m) Moment arm(m) Moment(KN.m/m)
Top slab {(0.22+0.18)/2} * 1.27 1.27/2 = 0.635 4.032
* 25KN/m3 = 6.35
Bottom part of edge 0.4 * (0.4 – 0.18) * 1.27 – 0.2 = 1.07 2.354
beam 25KN/m3 = 2.2
Railing 0.3 * 0.25 * 25 = 1.875 1.27 – 0.15 – 0.125 = 0.995 1.865
Post (1/1.5) * (0.3 * 0.25 * 1.27 – 0.05 – 0.125 = 1.095 1.095
0.8 * 25) = 1.0
Total (DC) 11.425 KN/m 9.346 KN.m/m
Wearing Surface (1.27 – 0.4)* 0.05*22.5 (1.27 – 0.4) / 2 = 0.435 0.426
(DW) kN/m3 = 0.979

Truck load
The wheel load is kept at 300 mm from the face of the railing. For the design of the deck
overhang - 300 mm from the face of the curb or railing, Chapter 3
Effective length of dispersion perpendicular to the span of cantilever Equivalent strip width for
overhang part of Girder Bridge:
E = 1140 +0.833X
Where X = distance from load to point of support (mm)……….Chapter 3
E = 1140 + 0.833 (X)
X = 1.27 – 0.4 – 0.3 = 0.57 m = 570 mm
E = 1140 + 0.833 (570) = 1614.8 mm
Maximum wheel load = 145/2 = 72.5 KN

Load dispersed per ‘m’ width in the transverse direction to the span of cantilever
= 72.5/1.6148 = 44.89 KN/m
Moment caused by this load = 44.89 * 0.57 = 25.59 KN.m/m
Moment due to truck load including dynamic load allowance
= MLL+IM = 25.59 * 1.33 = 34.04 kN.m/m

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Lane load
Lane load = 9.3KN/m spread over 3 m width
Lane load per ‘m’ width =9.3/3 = 3.1KN/m2 of span
Lane load moment = 3.1 * (1.27 – 0.4)2/2 = 1.173 KN.m/m
Truck load + Lane load
= 34.04 + 1.173 = 35.21 KN.m/m
Total design moment
Q = Σ ηi γi Qi ;
Here, ηD = 1.00 ηR = 1.00 ηI = 1.00
Design moment
= 1.00(1.25 DC + 1.5 DW + 1.75 (LL+IM)
= 1.00(1.25 * 9.346 +1.5 * 0.416 + 1.75 * 35.21)
= 73.924 KN.m/m (negative moment)

Design of reinforcement
Steel ratio = ρ

2𝑀𝑢 𝑓𝑐′
ρ= 1− 1−
𝑏𝑑 2 𝑓𝑐′ 𝑓𝑦

Here, d = 220 – cover – diameter/2 = 220 – 50 – 16/2 = 162 mm

2 × 73.924 × 106 20
ρ= 1− 1− 2
= 0.009779
0.9 × 1000 × 162 × 20 350

ρmin = 0.03 *20/350 = 0.0017 < 0.009779 Hence Ok.

2
As = 0.009779 * 1000 * 162 = 1584.2 mm
Spacing of 16 bars = π (16)2/4 *1000/ 1571.34 = 126.92 mm
Provide 16 bars c/c 120 mm ( top reinforcement)
As,provided = 1675.52 mm2

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B. Design of Interior Slab Panel

Slab thickness = 220 mm = 0.22 m

Dead load:
DC = 0.22 * 25 KN/m3 = 5.5 KN/m
DW = 0.05 * 22.5 KN/m3 = 1.125 KN/m
Since the interior slab is a continuous fixed ended slab,

Mspan = WL2/24 Msupp = WL2/12

Dead load moments:
Span: MDC = 5.5 * 2.62/24 = 1.55 KN.m
MDW = 1.125 * 2.62/24 = 0.32 KN.m
Support: MDC = 5.5 * 2.62/12 = 3.1 KN.m
MDW = 1.125 * 2.62/12 = 0.64 KN.m

Live load moments:

Maximum span moment:
Effective length
E=660+0.55S
S=2.6m=2600mm
E=660+0.55x2600=2030mm=2.03m
Due to truck load  145 KN/2 = 72.5 KN positioned at center of single span
72.5/2.03=35.71KN
M = 13.06 KN.m
Due to lane load  9.3/3 = 3.1 KN/m positioned on single span
M = 1.089 KN.m
Maximum support moment:
Effective length
E=1220+0.25S
S=2.6m=2600mm
E=1220+0.25x2600=1870mm=1.87m

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Due to truck load  145 KN/2 = 72.5 KN positioned on both spans at 0.8m from the
interior support
72.5/1.87=38.77KN
M = 14.87 KN.m
Due to lane load  9.3/3 = 3.1 KN/m positioned on both spans
M = 1.75 KN.m
Factored Design moments:
At supports: M = ηi [1.25 (MDC) + 1.5 (MDW) + 1.75(MLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (3.1) + 1.5 (0.64) + 1.75 (1.33*14.87 + 1.75)
= 42.51 KN.m
At spans: M = ηi [1.25 (MDC) + 1.5 (MDW) + 1.75(MLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (1.55) + 1.5 (0.32) + 1.75 (1.33*13.06 + 1.089)
= 34.72 KN.m
Reinforcement
Slab top reinforcement
Mu = 42.34 KN.m/m; d = 220 – 25 – 16/2 = 187 mm

2 × 42.51 × 106 20
ρ= 1− 1− = 0.004
0.9 × 1000 × 1872 × 20 350

ρmin = 0.03 * 20/350= 0.0017 < 0.004 Hence Ok.

2
As = 0.004 * 1000 * 187 = 744.74 mm
Spacing of 16 bars = π*162/4 * 1000/744.74 = 269.98 mm
Provide 16 bars c/c 260 mm
Slab bottom reinforcement
Mu = 34.65 KN.m/m; d = 220 – 25 – 16/2 = 187 mm

2 × 34.72 × 106 20
ρ= 1− 1− 2
= 0.003244
0.9 × 1000 × 187 × 20 350

ρmin = 0.03 * 20/350= 0.0017 < 0.003244 Hence Ok.

2
As = 0.003244 * 1000 * 187 = 606.64 mm
Spacing of 16 bars = π*162/4 * 1000/ 606.64 = 331.43 mm
Provide 16 bars c/c 330 mm
Distribution or secondary reinforcement
Percentage of main reinforcement for distribution bars for main bars running perpendicular to
traffic is;
3840 3840
= ≤ 67% ==> = 75.3%
𝑆 2600
Take 67% of main bars as distributor reinforcements
Area of distribution steel = 67/100 * 606.64 = 406.45 mm2
Spacing of 12 bars = π*122/4 * 1000/406.45 = 278.25 mm
Provide 12 bars c/c 270 mm as Distributors
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C. Design of Girders: Exterior girder

Dead load
1. DC from overhang portion (part 1)
= 11.425 KN/m (taken from overhang design)
2. DW from overhang slab = 0.979 KN/m
3. Weight of slab (part 2)
= (2.22/2) * 0.22 * 25 = 6.105 KN/m
4. Wearing surface (part 2)
= (0.05*22.5) * (2.22/2) = 1.248 KN/m
5. Weight of girder
= 1.3 * 0.38 * 25 = 12.35 KN/m
6. Wearing surface (part 3)
= (0.05*22.5) * (0.38) = 0.427 KN/m
 Total DC = 29.88 KN/m
 Total DW = 2.654 KN/m
 Dead load from the diaphragm at the center of the span
= (1.00 – 0.22) * (2.22/2) * 0.25 * 25 = 5.411 KN
Dead load shear and moment
 Shear due to DC
= WL/2 = 29.88 *16.6/2 = 248.0 KN
 BM due to DC
= WL2/8 = 29.88 *16.62/8 = 1029.22 KN.m
 Shear due to DW
= 2.654 * 16.6/2 = 22.03 KN
 BM due to DW
= 2.654 * 16.62/8 = 91.42 KN.m
 Shear due to the mid-way diaphragm alone
= 5.411 / 2 = 2.71 KN
 BM due to the mid-way diaphragm alone
= PL/4 = 5.411 * 16.6/4 = 22.45 KN.m
Live loads on the exterior girder
Lane load
 Design lane load = 9.3KN/m spread over 3 m width
Lane load per ‘m’ width = 9.3/3 = 3.1KN/m2
 Lane load transferred on girder = 3.1 * (2.6/2+1.27 + 0.38/2 – 0.3 – 0.4) = 6.39 KN/m
 Reaction at the support = 6.39 * 16.6/2 = 53.04 KN
 Max. BM due to lane load = 6.39 *16.62/8= 220.1 KNm
Design truck load:
Concept: The wheel loads are placed on the deck slab as per the spacing requirements. The
reaction of the wheel loads on the girders is determined either by lever rule or by the equations
given in tables 13.3 and 13.4(Chapter 3 Specification). This reaction is in the form of coefficient

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which will have to be multiplied with the actual moment that would be determined for the load
position longitudinally.
Distribution coefficient (Reaction Coefficient) for Moment in exterior girder:
For one design lane loaded, lever rule method is applied. Refer to Chapter 3 specifications

Taking moment about I,

Reaction at E
1.26 + 3.06 𝑃/2 1.662 × 𝑃
𝑅𝐸 = = = 0.831𝑃
2.6 2

Therefore, the coefficient for one design lane loaded including multiple presence factor Table 3.2
chapter 3,
= 0.831 * 1.2 = 0.99
For two design lanes loaded, the reaction coefficient is calculated from formulation given in
Table 13-4.
Exterior girder reaction coefficient
𝑑𝑒
𝑔𝐸𝑥𝑡 = (0.77 + )𝑔
2800 𝑖𝑛𝑡
Here, de = distance between the face of the railing/ end beam to the exterior face of the exterior
girder in mm
= 1.27 – 0.4 = 0.87 m
gint = Interior girder reaction coefficient which is taken from table 13.3,
(For two design lanes loaded)
0.6 0.2 0.1
𝑆 𝑆 𝐾𝑔
𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.075 +
2900 𝐿 𝐿𝑡𝑔3
𝐾𝑔
Here, 𝐿𝑡 3 may be taken as 1;
𝑔

S = center to center spacing between girders;

L = Span of bridge

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0.6 0.2
2600 2600 0.1
𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.075 + 1 = 0.721
2900 16600
Reaction coefficient
870
𝑔𝐸𝑥𝑡 = 0.77 + 2800 0.721 = 0.78
Therefore, the reaction coefficient for exterior girder for two lane loaded is less than that for one
lane loaded.
Hence, the reaction coefficient is taken as 0.99

Distribution coefficient (Reaction Coefficient) for shear in exterior girder:

For one lane loaded, by applying lever rule the coefficient = 0.99
𝑑𝑒
𝑔𝐸𝑥𝑡 = (0.6 + )𝑔
3000 𝑖𝑛𝑡
2
𝑆 𝑆
𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.2 + −
3600 10700
2600 2600 2
𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.2 + − = 0.863
3600 10700
870
𝑔𝐸𝑥𝑡 = 0.6 + 0.863 = 0.768
3000
The maximum among the above two is taken for the design = 0.99

Maximum Truck load moment:

Taking moment about L, to find the resultant, (Resultant) * x = 145(4.3) + 35(8.6)

145 4.3 + 35(8.6)
𝑥= = 2.84𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐿
145 + 145 + 35

For the load position shown above, the absolute maximum BM occurs at section D

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Max. Ordinate at D
= (7.57*9.03)/16.6 = 4.12
Ordinate at I = 4.73*(4.12/9.03) = 2.155
Ordinate at II = 3.27*(4.12/7.57) = 1.783
Max. BM at D
= (2.24 + 4.27)*145 + (1.84 * 35) = 972.28kN.m
Max. Truck load BM including dynamic load allowance + Lane load BM, reduced by reaction
factor:
= {1.33(972.28) +220.1}*0.99 =1498.1 KN.m
Maximum Shear due to truck load

IL for Max. Reaction at support

The ordinates at salient section are marked in the figure above
Max. Support shear = (1 + 0.741)*145 + (0.482)*35 = 269.31 KN
Max shear due to (truck load + IM) and lane load reduced by reduction factor
= [269.31*1.33 + 53.04] * 0.99 = 407.11 KN
Design Tandem load: Max moment due to tandem load,

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Max. BM at D
= (4.144 + 3.566)*110 = 848.1 KN.m
Max. Tandem load BM including dynamic load allowance + Lane load BM, reduced by reaction
factor:
= {1.33(848.1) + 242.49}*0.99 =1356.75 KN.m
Max shear force due to tandem load:

Max. Shear at support A

= (1.0 + 0.927)*110 = 212.05 KN

Design Truck load governs.

Total Design moment for Exterior Girder:

Design moment: M = ηi [1.25 (MDC) + 1.5 (MDW) + 1.75(MLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (1029.22 + 22.45) + 1.5 (91.42) + 1.75 (1498.1)
= 4073.39 KN.m
Design shear: V = ηi [1.25 (VDC) + 1.5 (VDW) + 1.75(VLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (248.0 + 2.71) + 1.5 (22.03) + 1.75 (407.11)
= 1058.22 KN

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D. Design of Girders: Interior girder

Dead load
1. DC from slab
= 0.22 * 2.6 * 25 = 14.3 KN/m
2. DW from slab
= 0.05* 22.5 *2.6 = 2.93 KN/m
3. Weight of girder
= (1.3 – 0.22) * 0.38 * 25 = 10.26 KN/m
 Total DC = 24.56 KN/m
 Total DW = 2.93 KN/m
 Dead load from the diaphragm at the center of the span
= (1.0 – 0.22) * (2.6 – 0.38) * 0.25 * 25 = 10.82 KN

Dead load shear and moment

 Shear due to DC
= WL/2 = 24.56 *16.6/2 = 203.85 KN
 BM due to DC
= WL2/8 = 24.56 *16.62/8 = 845.97 KN.m
 Shear due to DW
= 2.93 * 16.6/2 = 24.32 KN
 BM due to DW
= 2.93 * 16.62/8 = 100.92 KN.m
 Shear due to the mid-way diaphragm alone
= 10.82 / 2 = 5.41 KN
 BM due to the mid-way diaphragm alone
= PL/4 = 10.82 * 16.6/4 = 44.9 KN.m
Live loads on the interior girder
Lane load
 Design lane load = 9.3KN/m spread over 3 m width
Lane load per ‘m’ width = 9.3/3 = 3.1KN/m2
 Lane load transferred on girder = 3.1 * 2.6 = 8.06 KN/m
 Reaction at the support = 8.06 * 16.6/2 = 66.9 KN
 Max. BM due to lane load = 8.06 *16.62/8= 277.63 KN.m
Design truck load:
Concept: The wheel loads are placed on the deck slab as per the spacing requirements. The
reaction of the wheel loads on the girders is determined either by lever rule or by the equations
given in tables 13.3 and 13.4. This reaction is in the form of coefficient which will have to be
multiplied with the actual moment that would be determined for the load position longitudinally.
For one design lane loaded, lever rule method is applied. Refer to Chapter 3 specifications

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Taking moment about E,

Reaction at I
1.34 − 0.46 𝑃/2 0.34 × 𝑃
𝑅𝐼 = = = 0.169𝑃
2.6 2

Therefore, the coefficient for one design lane loaded including multiple presence factor Table 3.2
chapter 3,
= 0.169 * 1.2 = 0.203
(For two design lanes loaded) including multiple presence factor Table 3.2 chapter 3,
=0.169*2*1=0.34
Distribution coefficient for moment using equation from table 13-3
(For one design lanes loaded)
0.4 0.3 0.1
𝑆 𝑆 𝐾𝑔
= 0.06 +
4300 𝐿 𝐿𝑡𝑔3
𝐾𝑔
Here, 𝐿𝑡 3 may be taken as 1;
𝑔

S = center to center spacing between girders;

L = Span of bridge
2600 0.4 2600 0.1
0.1
= 0.06 + 1 = 0.529
4300 16600

(For two design lanes loaded)

0.6 0.2 0.1
𝑆 𝑆 𝐾𝑔
= 0.075 +
2900 𝐿 𝐿𝑡𝑔3
𝐾𝑔
Here, 𝐿𝑡 3 may be taken as 1;
𝑔

S = center to center spacing between girders;

L = Span of bridge
2600 0.6 2600 0.2
0.1
= 0.075 + 1 = 0.721
2900 16600
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Reaction coefficient of moment would be the one greater than all the computed values,
Therefore, the reaction coefficient for interior girder for two lane loaded is greater than that for
one lane loaded.
Hence, the reaction coefficient for moment is taken as 0.721
Distribution coefficient (Reaction Coefficient) for shear using lever rule is taken as 0.34

Maximum Truck and Tandem loading is the same as considered for the exterior girder. The truck load
governs.
Max. Truck load BM including dynamic load allowance + Lane load BM, reduced by reaction
factor:
= {1.33(972.28) + 277.63}*0.721 =1132.52 KN.m
Max shear due to (truck load + IM) and lane load reduced by reduction factor
= [269.31*1.33 + 66.9] * 0.34 = 144.53 KN
Total Design moment for Interior Girder:
Design moment: M = ηi [1.25 (MDC) + 1.5 (MDW) + 1.75(MLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (845.97 + 44.9) + 1.5 (100.92) + 1.75 (1132.52)
= 3246.87 KN.m
Design shear: V = ηi [1.25 (VDC) + 1.5 (VDW) + 1.75(VLL+IM)]
= 1.0 [1.25 (203.85 + 5.41) + 1.5 (24.32) + 1.75 (144.53)
= 550.98 KN

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Design for flexure: - Exterior Beam

MU = 4073.39 KN.m;
Concrete cover 50mm
Reinforcement bar 30 and stirrups 12
Number of row 5
Number of bar in a single row 4
Spacing between bars:- For Parallel reinforcements 45mm and for vertical layers 30mm
Effective depth, d = 1300 – 50 – 2*30 – 2*30 – 30/2 = 1115mm

2 4073.39 × 106 20
𝜌= 1− 1− = 0.0454
0.9 × 380 × 11152 × 20 350

𝐴𝑠 = 𝜌𝑏𝑑 = 0.0454 × 380 × 1115 = 19,251.47 𝑚𝑚2

ρmin = 0.03 * 20/350= 0.0017 < 0.0454 Hence Ok.
No of 30 =19251.47/(π (302)/4) = 27.23

Provide 2830 as a tension reinforcement

Design for Shear: - Exterior Beam

Vu = 1058.22 KN
Vr = Vn
Where : Vn = nominal shear resistance (N)
 = resistance factor from Table 9-7  = 0.9
Vr = Vu/0.9 = 1058.22/0.9 = 1175.80 KN
The nominal shear resistance shall be taken as;
Vn = Vc + Vs = 0.166 bw dv 𝑓𝑐 + (Av fy dv) / S

Vc = 0.166*380*1115* 20*10-3 = 314.54 KN

Vs = Vn – Vc = 1175.8 – 314.54 = 861.26 KN
Take 12mm stirrup, Av = 2*𝜋*62 = 226.19 mm2

S = (Av fy dv )/Vs = (226.19*350*1115)/(861.26*103) = 102.49mm

Provide diameter 12mm stirrup at 100mm c/c spacing

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