CIE5125

Steel Bridges (4 ECTS)

Course Contents
Conceptual design of steel bridges
Bridge decks and girders
Loads on bridges
Analysis and design verification
Serviceability and dynamics of bridges
Suspension bridges
Bridge bearings and extension joints
Movable bridges
Renovation of decks/bridges
Fabrication and assembly
Special topics in steel bridges

Calculation examples are presented throughout the lectures and exercises are given to students during the course:

  • Choice of structural form and concept design of a beam bridge
  • Calculation of shear lag effects in an orthotropic deck and concrete slab
  • Traffic load and fatigue load analysis for a twin girder bridge and for a box girder bridge
  • Buckling of orthotropic plate and deck
  • Global/local interaction in an orthotropic deck
  • SLS stress limitation in bridge with orthotropic and composite deck.

Study Goals
As a result, the student should be able to:

  1. Understand the behavior of many types of bridges incl. movable bridges;
  2. Create and design different types of highway and railway bridges;
  3. Evaluate alternative solutions;
  4. Design bridges by optimal use of steel and concrete;
  5. Understand alternative construction and erection methods;
  6. Understand and calculate ultimate limit state and fatigue loads on bridges;
  7. Perform preliminary design verification of girder bridges according to Eurocodes. 

Expected prior knowledge
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