Report Integral Bridges

Author

Marianne Haditsch

Research Area

Faculty of Civil Engineering Sciences

Supervisor

Dipl.-Ing. Regina della Pietra

Chairmanship

O. Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Viet Tue Nguyen

Institute of Structural Concrete

University of Technology Graz, Austria

INTRODUCTION

1 INTRODUCTION

In the context of the project "Rio + 20 - scientists and young people take stock" I

got the chance to spend two months at the Institute of Structural Concrete at the

University of Technology in Graz and therefore gained some insights into

different fields of building technology.

Rio + 20 is an international organization based on the world summit on sustainable

development in Rio de Janeiro, consisting of organizations and members of government from

different nations. Their aim is to support social justice and environmental protection but also

to reduce poverty. They especially deal with the topics of sustainability, resources and

climate change - topics which I am very taken with.

Fortunately, people talk about sustainability more and more, but only a few of them recognize

the gravity of the situation. To live more sustainably means to consume more sustainably.

We have to use the resources of our planet and consider the needs of future generations at

the same time, they shouldn't have to worry about how to handle their lives. We have to deal

with our commodities more economically, because at the moment we would need three

earths if the entire humanity lived like the Europeans do. Many of us struggle with this topic

but only a few really change their way of life.

During my time at the institute I learned a lot about infrastructure, bridges and building itself. I

worked intensively on the construction of bridges and learned that it is also possible to work

sustainably and economically in this field.

Currently, integral bridges, i.e. jointless and bearingless bridges, become more and more

important. In contrast to conventional bridges, the costs construction and maintenance are

reduced with the help of that technology. Beside these and a lot of other advantages, the

"demanded durability" of integral bridges is one of the main arguments in favor of this

technology. Through the elimination of grooves and brackets it is possible to work more

sustainably and cost-effectively. Traffic jams and, consequently, environmental pollution are

reduced.

Even in antiquity integral bridges were created, based on the model of Roman stone arch

bridges made entirely of natural stone. The first concrete bridges

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INTRODUCTION

were built about two thousand

years ago. At that time the Romans

used a coarse mortar, which bears

a great resemblance to modern

building materials. In the late 19th

century, people reverted to the

jointless building technology, but it

has only been in use for the last few

years again.

Mainly in the USA integral bridges are already "standard". Currently, about 13000 bridges

without any grooves or brackets are in use, including 9000 integral and 4000 semi-integral

bridges. The first integral bridge in the USA, the "Teens Run Bridge", was built in 1938 near

Ohio. The first integral frames in Japan and South Korea were built in 1996 and 2002,

respectively.

In Europe the percentage of integral frames is increasing as well. In Britain, for example,

more than sixty per cent of the structures in 2004 were built in an integral style, 1650 integral

bridges in Switzerland alone.

Although the proportion of integral structures is increasing continuously, conventional bridges

still predominate, as comprehensive guidelines for integral structures are not yet available.

because in the integral technique guidelines are not completely given.

The intention of sustainable construction is the minimization of the consumption of energy

and resources. It takes all life cycle phases of a building/structure into account. (Dietrich

Schwarz, Zurich)

The integral building technology permits a configuration according to these principles.

Conventional frames create higher life cycle costs and require frequent maintenance.

According to that, integral bridges become increasingly significant.

In this paper I will give a few examples for integral bridges in Switzerland and Germany. I will

also describe them in detail and define the international status of integral frames.

Figure 1-1 Pont du Gard, 1. Century AD

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2

continental frames

CONTINENTAL FRAMES

The highest share of international integral frames is to be found in Europe, but an exact

number cannot be given.

We especially encounter bridges without any bearings and joints in Britain, Scandinavia and

Sweden, with most of these structures – about 90% of all European constructions – built in

Germany.

In the following section I will give three examples each of integral bridges in Switzerland and

Germany.

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continental frames

2.1 IN SWITZERLAND

SUNNIBERGBRÜCKE

Use Road bridge Structural system Overstretched girder bridge/ five-span pre-

stressed/ ground plan curvature Span [m] Li= 59.0 m + 128.0 m + 140.0 m + 134.0 m +

65.0 m; Lmax= 140.0 m; Lges= 526.0 m

Width [m] Bges= 12,37 m Carriageway cross section Tee beam cross section with two edge

girders hK≈ 1.0 m

Material/ Construction Prestressed concrete Foundation Pile foundation at the supports/ Shaft

foundation at the abutments Country Switzerland/ Klosters Year of construction 1998

In a wide curve the Sunnibergbrücke bridges the valley of Landquart, 62 metres above the ground. It was opened in 2005 and connects the villages of Bühl and Drostobel.

Figure 2-1-1: Bridge

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continental frames

SALGINATOBELBRÜCKE

Use Road bridge Structural system Arch bridge Span [m] Lges= 132.30 m Width [m] Bges= 3.80 m Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete Country Switzerland/ Schiers Year of construction 1930

Robert Maillart, one of the most popular engineers of the German-speaking region, built the Salginatobelbrücke in 1930, which probably is the most popular building of his entire work. In an elegant way it bridges the valley of Salgina and makes the surrounding area shine in all its glory.

Figure 2-1-2: Bridge

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continental frames

SCHWANDBACHBRÜCKE

Use Road bridge and pedestrian bridge

Structural system Suspended deck arch bridge

Span [m] Lges= 55.65 m

Width [m] Bges= 4.9 m

Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete

Country Switzerland/ Hinterfultigen

Year of construction 1933

The Schwandbachbrücke is located between Hinterfultingen and Schönentannen, crossing

the Schwandbach river. Together with the Salginatobelbrücke and the Ziggenbachbrücke it

ranks among the best constructions of the 20th century.

Figure 2-1-3: Bridge

2.2 IN GERMANY

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continental frames

NESENBACHTALBRÜCKE

Use Road bridge and pedestrian bridge Structual system Frame bridge/ 6- span- pre- stressed/

Ground plan curvature/ Restraint thrust bearing (100%)

Span[m] Li= 8.25 m + 16.50 m + 24.75 m + 49.50 m + 35.75 m + 15.86 m; Lmax= 49.50 m; Lges= 150.61 m

Width [m] Bges= 11.50 m Carriageway cross- section Board cross- section on underlying space

truss/ hK= 2.28 m Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete/ Steel (framework and

supports) Foundation Pile foundation at inner supports (ø= 0.90

m)/ Flachgründung im Widerlagerbereich

Country Germany/ Stuttgart- Vaihingen Year of Construction 1999 The girder bridge with a length of nearly 151 meters connects Österfeld and Vaihingen by its curved construction. Additionally it gives an excellent protection against noise and a unique view of the Kaltental.

Figure 2-2-1 Bridge

LA- FERTÉ- STEG

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continental frames

The pedestrian and cyclist‘s bridge, which was built 2001 in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, creates in consequence of its dynamic swinging form a harmonic but also noble atmosphere. With a

Use Pedestrian bridge Structural system Girder bridge/ Multi- span/ Ground plan

curvature/ Abutment tension (100%) Span [m] Lmax= 28.5 m; Lges= 119.0 m Width [m] bges= 3.50 m Carriageway cross section Tee beam cross section/

hK= 0.75 m Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete/ Steel stanchion Foundation Pile foundation at the thrust bearing Country Germany Stuttgart- Zuffenhausen Year of concrete 2001 length of 119m and a radius of 53.70m, a residential area, a fairground and an indoor pool get connected by a circle arc.

Figure 2-2-2: Bridge

BIDGE ACROSS THE GAHLENSCHE STREET BOCHUM

Use Pedestrian bridge

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International frames

Structural system Suspension bridge/ One rope plane Span [m] L�≈ 70.0 m (Pylon distance)

Lges= 132.0 m Width[m] bges= 3.0 m Carriageway cross section Board cross section/ Composite panel

HK≈ 1.15 m Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete of the board/

Steel (Pylon, Rope, Cross member) Foundation Pile foundation at the thrust bearings and

pylons/ Ø= 1.20 m, lpf= 25.0 m

Country Germany/ Bochum Year of construction 2003

This pedestrian bridge was built in 2003 and is one of the first double-curved, one-sided supported suspension bridges in the world. An S-shaped curve connects two staggered sidewalks. Dipl.- Ing. Kurt Göppert developed this design in the course of a competition and implemented it in a reasonable way.

Figure 2-2-3: Bridge

INTERNATIONAL FRAMES

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3

International frames

Especially in the USA the integral design is already “standard”. Currently, there are 13000

bearingless and jointless bridges, including 9000 integral and 4000 semi-integral bridges.

However the number of integral constructions in different countries varies, as well as the

guidelines, such as the maximum permitted spans and total lengths. In 59% of all federal

states, for example, there are fifty integral frames, whereas 15% of the federal states account

for 1000 integral bridges.

The first integral bridge of the USA, the “Teens Run Bridge” near Ohio, was created in 1938,

whereas the first integral frames in Japan and South Korea were not built before 1996 and

2002, respectively.

3.1 USA

SEMI-INTEGRAL BRIDGE ON ROUTE 18 OVER BLUE SPRING RUN

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International frames

Use Road bridge

Structural system Girder bridge/One- field truss/Crooked α=45°

Span [m] Lges= 33m

Width [m] bges= 13m

Material/ Construction Reinforced concrete

Foundation Pile foundation

Country USA

Year of construction 2005

Figure 3-1-1: Bridge

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Model and group photos

4 MODEL AND GROUP PHOTOS

Model Integral Bridge

Annual outing on August 24, 2012

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