A Complete Treatise on Measurement

of Camber in Open Web and PSC Girders

By
V B Sood *

SYNOPSIS
Camber is upward deflection in girders due to "prestressing" in the members due to force fit in case of
open web girders and stressing of tendons in case of PSC girders. Camber is an important parameter
specified to be taken once in five years for open web steel girders and once every year for PSC girders.
This paper gives various methods of measurement of camber and care to taken in its measurement in field
so that the camber can be used as a meaningful tool. The paper also gives some improvements over the
existing methods used is field.

1.0 Introduction:
IRBM para 612(3) defines camber in PSC girders as the
upward deflection which occurs in prestressed concrete
flexure members due to eccentricity of prestressing forces.
It does not include dimensional inaccuracies due to errors
in manufacture, improper bearings or other deficiencies of
construction. The anticipated camber due to prestressing
shall be computed and shown in the detailed working
drawings. Actual camber shall be measured and compared
with the computed values. The camber in open web girders
is also similar in nature and comes from the prestressing
force due to the girder being fabricated from lengths which
are different than the nominal lengths as per the
geometrical shape of truss.
There are three kinds of camber viz
l

Design or theoretical camber, which exists when

structure is fully supported during initial construction.
The design engineer specifies this camber in the
drawings. Proper construction practices shall
ensure the design camber to be achieved.

Live load camber is transient camber when live load

passes over the bridge. This camber is difficult to
measure in field. Only if there is some major problem
in girders, then this can be measured through
continuous trace of the deflection of the girder when
trains pass.

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Dead load camber is the camber when the structure

has only dead load on it. This is the parameter which
is measured in field during the routine inspections.
The camber is a very important parameter for girders.

*Professor Bridges, IRICEN, Pune

2.0 Importance of Camber :

Loss of camber in the case of open web girders means
either of the following is taking place:
l

Individual members are getting overstressed

and deforming which is leading to change in
dimensions of the girders and leading to loss
of camber. OR

The joints of the members are getting

overstressed. OR

There is fabrication problem due to which

there is play between the holes and rivets.

In the case of PSC girders, the camber is a

parameter whose efficacy is considered limited. If there is
loss of camber, then there will be other problems as well,
which may be pretty serious. However the camber is still a
parameter which will give some reassurance that the
prestressing force is effective or otherwise after the
cracks or other damage which has taken place in the
PSC girder.
3.0 Frequency of Measurement of Camber:
Camber is a single parameter which gives an idea of health
of the girders. It shall be measured after initial construction
as well as during regular inspections as follows:
3.1.

Initial construction:
After construction, the camber of the girder shall be
measured. If the camber is achieved as computed by
the design engineer, it gives an indication that the
prestressing force has been provided properly. In the
IRICEN JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

open web girders, it indicates that the fabrication

standard has been good through out the process and
during fabrication the holes have not been damaged.
In the PSC girders, precise finishing of the PSC
girder bottoms is not easy to achieve in field, and
hence the camber is very difficult to be measured as
absolute value. In this case, the initial reading of the
camber immediately after launching of girder in
position shall be taken and the same shall be taken
as reference for all further readings in service of the
girder.
3.2.

During service: During service, the camber shall be

measured as per following frequency:

3.2.1. Open web girders: The camber shall be measured

once in five years during detailed inspections.

5.0 Record of Camber measurement: The PSC BOX

girders have only one reading for the BOX girder, whereas
the open web girders have two readings, one for each
girder. The PSC I section girders have camber readings at
the rate of one for each I section. Camber is measured by
taking the relative position of the nominated locations of the
girders with respect to the end points. As indicated in figure
1, the camber is measured by taking average of the two end
readings and deducting the level measured at the
nominated points to get the camber at different locations.
Since the camber is recorded on average of the two end
readings, camber does not change even if the girder is
sloping or the line of collimation of the measuring system is
inclined. The camber measured shall be entered in a table
but the tabulated data is very difficult to interpret the results
and the camber shall be plotted on a graph sheet to get an
idea of how the readings are looking along the length of the
girder

3.2.2. PSC girders: As per para 1107(15)(b) of IRBM, the

camber shall be measured every year.
3.2.3. The camber is to be measured at closer intervals if
there is a problem in the girder.
Camber

3.2.4. The camber is to be measured by the bridge

inspector.
4.0 Where to measure camber ?
In the case of open web girders, the camber is to be
measured at the panel points. The panel points are
defined by locating a fixed position at top of all the cross
girders or the bottom chord members. In some cases,
camber may be measured at the underside of the bottom
chord at the panel points. The care to be taken is to
measure always at the same point so the readings are
comparable. Sometimes the bottom chord has extra plate
on top flange or some of the cross girders have extra cover
plates, then this difference in thicknesses has to be
accounted for.
In PSC girders, location at which the camber shall be
measured has not been laid down. There are no panel
points and the IRBM is silent about this aspect. However,
since the PSC girder is a rigid body, it is adequate to take
the camber at mid point only for the girders upto 20 m
length and at mid-point and the quarter points for
longer spans upto 50 m length. The camber shall be
measured at nominated locations. Since concrete is
subject to abrasion, the same shall be protected with non
erodible surface. For this purpose, ceramic tiles or 100 mm
x 100 mm steel plate shall be pasted on the nominated
location. The ceramic tiles or steel plates can get dislocated,
so the same shall be cross referenced with some non
erodible surface and independent bench mark outside the
bridge. The camber in case of PSC girders can be
measured at different locations: Underside of girders,
inside the BOX or at the top surface of the girder as is
convenient. When measuring the camber on top of the
girders, the element of abrasion is likely to be quite high and
this is not a preferred place to measure camber.

Camber

Camber at B = Reading at B - (Reading at A + reading at B)/2

Figure 1
The old readings shall also be plotted on the same
graph sheet, it makes it very easy to compare the current
readings with the historic readings and study the pattern on
single graph sheet. When the register is filled up and is
changed, the graph sheet shall be taken out and
transferred to the new register.
6.0 Methods of camber measurement:
Camber is a very small value when compared with the
length of the girder. It is not measured in case of plate
girders as these have very high vertical stiffness. In case of
PSC girders, the camber value is very small and it is not laid
down as to beyond what spans it shall be measured.
However, in field, the practice is to measure camber for
spans above 12.2 m which are maintained by the Bridge
Inspectors. This is logical also, as the slabs are very rigid as
compared to girders. Further, the dead load camber for a
typical 9.15 m span works out to less than 1 mm. This is too
21

small a figure and the measuring tolerance shall defeat the

very purpose of taking the camber reading.
Various methods in vogue in field for taking camber
readings:
6.1 Piano wire and weights method:
This is the method given in Indian Railways Bridge Manual
(IRBM) annexure 11/14 for spans upto 30 m PSC girders. In
this method, 1 to 3 mm dia stainless steel wire is used for

1. Piano wire 30 m. long.

2. 10 Kg. Weights. - 2 Nos.
3. Hangers - 2 Nos.
4. Pulleys.
The computations are done as follows to account for the
sag in the piano wire:
Dia. of Wire (18 SWG)
= = 1.219 mm
Length of wire (Clear span)

= L

Tension on end (counter wt) = T =

16 m (Roughly)
10 Kgf

Annexure 11/14
Para 1107.15

RAIL LEVEL

Self wt of wire/unit length (w) = ( 2/4) 7.850/1000

= 0.00917 Kg/m

CAMBER TO BE MEASURED
ACCURATELY

PSC GIRDER
A

PIANO WIRE
18 SWG

WEIGHT 10 kg

L/2

B
SPAN (L)

WEIGHT 10 kg

Deflection @ Mid-Span (r)

wL2/(8 T)

ABUTMENT

PIER

Where T is the Tension in wire,

= 0. 00917 x 16 2 /8 x 10

THE DISTANCE FROM THE CENTRAL

LINE OF BARING TO THE HANGING
WEIGHT SHOULD BE SAME AT BOTH
ENDS.

WEIGHT SUSPENDED TO EITHER

END AND THE DIA OF PIANO WIRE
SHOULD BE USE ACCORDING
TO THIS WEIGHT

PIANO WIRE
STAINLESS STEEL
HOOK OF 6 MM
DIA ROD

BENT PLATE OF
STAINLESS STEEL

50 mm

= 0.029 m i.e., 29 mm
Advantages:
o Simple method.
o Not disturbed by passing trains.

PIANO WIRE
CROSS SECTION AT B-B 6 MM DIA BOLT

CROSS SECTION AT A-A

P.S.C. GIRDERS CAMBER MEASURING METHOD

camber recording. The piano wire is stretched supports by

hanging 10 Kg. Weight at either end over pulley. Reading
are taken by measurement with scale at nominated
locations as shown in figure 2.

Disadvantages:
o Can be used only at bottom of girder
o Elaborate arrangements are required.
o More nos. of equipment are required to be taken to
the site.
o Readings are affected due to change in wire
diameter due to corrosion in piano wire, friction in
pulleys etc.
o Least count is high.
o Access is required to all the points where readings
are to be taken.
Due to the above reasons, the readings by this
method are not very reliable.
6.2. Water Tube:
Another method which can be used for taking the camber
measurements is water tube method. This works on the
principle that since the water attains the same level, if the
water kept in a tube is taken as reference, the reading upto
the various points will give the camber readings. For this
method, a 5mm internal diameter transparent rubber tube
filled with water is used. The water tube shall be free from
any water bubbles and the lower meniscus is taken as
reference for all the readings.

Figure 2
The equipment required for this method are:

Advantages:
o Very simple method.
o Least amount of equipment is required to be taken to
site
o No setting of equipment
o Does not get disturbed by passage of trains

Camber

mm
18 SWG Wire
10 Kg

22

10 Kg

Disadvantages:
o Errors may come if air rubbles remain in water tube.
o Due to friction in water tube, the readings are not
accurate if longer tube is used.

o If readings are to be taken in parts, accumulation of

errors takes place.
o Some approximation is there as readings are taken
on lower meniscus.
o Access is required to all the points where readings
are to be taken.
o Cannot be taken on the underside of the girder.

taking the camber reading and making it the basis of major

decisions regarding the health of the girders is defeated.
The least count of 5 mm in the staff is, therefore, a very big
handicap. To overcome the problem of least count of

Vernier
Scale

6.3. Leveling Instruments & staff :

This is the most common method for taking the camber
readings in open web girders. In this case, readings are
taken with the help of a dumpy level on a leveling staff kept
erect or inverted at panel points or required locations. The
instrument is kept at a single point
while taking the readings. However, the level instrument is
easily disturbed if train comes in between readings. The
errors in the permanent setting of the level instrument make
the readings taken with different settings non comparable.
Therefore, for reliable measurements, the readings for
each girder shall be taken from a single setting of the
instrument. If train comes in between the readings, the
complete set of readings shall be repeated. Also, the
instrument shall be fixed in such a manner that the readings
are taken without traversing the instrument in horizontal
plane to avoid the errors of the permanent setting going into
the readings. The instrument is normally placed at the
bridge approach for the end spans and on trolley refuges for
the intermediate spans. This creates some problems for
taking the first reading, which is some times out of focus
from the instrument.
Advantages:
o Equipment required is more but foldable & not
difficult to carry.
o Readings are more accurate.
o Can be used on top of girder, inside girder and on
underside of girder, provided some place for leveling
instrument is there.
Disadvantages:
o Requires space for erection of leveling instrument
at a place where line of vision is unobstructed.
o Instrument required to be installed near track and
readings can not be taken when train is
approaching/passing.
o Instrument gets disturbed due to vibration during
passing of train and is required to be reset.
o Difficult process and major errors can come in
especially if instrument is traversed or rotated during
readings.
o Least count of leveling staff is 5 mm. Some
approximations are required to get better readings.
6.4. Alterations to level instrument & staff method :
The camber measurement by using the leveling instrument
is a good method, however it suffers from some inherent
disadvantages. To overcome the same, the following
modifications in the normal level staff- level instrument
method are suggested:
6.4.1. Use of Vernier staff on leveling staff :
The camber reading is a very small value and the same is to
be measured as accurately as possible, else the purpose of

Vernier scale with the staff

Arrangement to fix Vernier

scale with the staff

leveling instrument being 5mm, a vernier scale can be

provided, with 10 divisions, each division being 4.5mm
thick. In this case, the readings are taken on the vernier
scale and the least count in such a case becomes 5mm 4.5 mm. = 0.5 mm.
Advantages:
(i) Improves accuracy.
Disadvantages:
(i) More technical person required taking the
reading.
(ii) More time is taken each reading, increasing the
possibility of train coming between the readings.
6.4.2. Use of fixed arrangements for keeping
telescope:
The use of leveling instrument is a hindrance rather than a
facility for the camber measurement as the instrument is
not required to be traversed or rotated during the
measurement of camber. An improvement over the same is
that the camber shall be measured using only the telescope
of the leveling instrument. In this method, a fixed
attachment provided on vertical of open web girder itself
can be used for keeping telescope (The support can be
kept on the first vertical of the span adjacent to the span
where the measurement is being taken). The equipment
can be kept of specially designed support on bridge
approach also (This is important where there is only one
span). This telescope can be used for taking the
measurements and since the arrangement is clamped to
the girder, it is not disturbed due to the passage of trains etc
and the setting of instrument is very fast and easy.
Advantages:
(i) Setting of instrument is easy
(ii) Rotation of equipment level instrument are
avoided.
23

Disadvantages:
(i) Temporary arrangement required shall be sturdy
and non slip type.
6.4.3. Use of laser distomat for taking readings:
The use of telescope is also not mandatory for taking the
camber readings. What is required is to have a line of
collimation defined and take all the readings from the same.
For this purpose, the laser distomat can be used. The same
has high-powered lenses and emits non-diffusing plain
polarized light. At each panel point, reading can be taken
by collecting the impression of the light on steel scale and
taking the readings. The laser distomat can be kept on a
frame similar to the one discussed above and fixed with the
vertical of the girder or on independent support. This
method can also be used on the invert of the girder by using
the leveling instrument, staff and laser distomat together as
used in Chennai MRTS by Southern Railway. As shown in
This type of equipment are manufactured by many
manufacturers, best known amongst them being Hilti India.
The model nos PD-16 is suitable for the application of the
camber measurement. It is a sturdy equipment costing
around Rs 16,000/- and increases the reliability of the
readings.
Advantages:
(I) The equipment requires simple setting of equipment
(ii) Readings can be quickly taken.
(iii) Line of collimation is not easily disturbed.
(Iv) Reading can be taken remotely also and there is no
need to reach close to the underside of girder.
Disadvantages:
(i) The impression of the light
increases with distance and the same can cause the
readings to be approximated and error can come. To solve
this issue, the readings can be taken twice, once from either
end of the girder for longer spans.

Figur No. 3
7.0 Action in case camber loss is seen:
In service, camber can only be lost and not gained. Camber
loss can be established by comparing the old readings with
the current readings of camber. The following action shall
be taken in case loss of camber is noticed:
7.1. Cross check of readings:
The reliability and accuracy of readings is very important
24

and sometimes the loss of camber may be only because

due care has not been taken in the readings. While drawing
conclusion about loss of camber, the least count of
measurements shall be given due congnizance.
The readings taken with 5 mm least count leveling staff
having a loss of 3 mm may not be an actual loss but only
measuring error. Similarly, change in the inspector taking
the readings can also lead to some change in value of
camber for one particular year.
7.2. Observation:
If it is seen that the camber has been taken carefully, the
loss of camber is established. Camber by itself is not a
parameter which takes the train loads. The camber is only
an indicator of the health of the girder. Loss of camber may
indicate something is seriously wrong. Therefore, any loss
of camber shall be taken very seriously. The first action after
loss of camber is noticed is to inspect the girder thoroughly
to see if the girder shows any other sign of distress. If some
defect(s) is found, action shall be taken as per gravity of the
defect. However, if there are no apparent defects, the
camber reading shall be taken again at closer intervals. For
PSC girders, since the normal frequency is 1 year, it can be
reduced to 3 months and in case of open web girders, the
same can be reduced to 6 months from once in 5 years.
Subsequent readings will prove or otherwise the loss of
camber. Further action shall be taken as per the camber
measured in subsequent readings:
7.3.
One time loss of camber: If the subsequent
readings over a period of time indicate that the loss of
camber was there but it is not progressing further, it means
that it is one time occurrence. This situation comes often in
open web girders but not likely to come in PSC girders. One
time loss of camber is not a serious affair in open web
girders, unless the girder is actually sagging. The reasons
for the one time loss of camber may be either the gaps
between the rivets and holes during initial fabrication, which
slips out at some point of time, or by addition of some dead
load to the girder or some accident on the bridge which
leads to the deformation of members. Bridge no 502,
Narmada, near Bharuch, having 87.6 m spans is not having
the camber mentioned in the drawings in any of the spans.
The bridge was constructed in year 1935 and is working fine
uptill now. Bridge no 624, span no 1 UP on Vadodara Ahmedabad section has negative camber since some old
accident in 1970s and has been giving satisfactory service
ever since. Another very important reason for the 'one time
loss of camber' is the failure of the fabrication team to attain
the camber in initial construction. Many a times, the camber
as per drawing is mentioned by the fabrication team to hide
their errors and subsequent officials keep on copying the
old readings until someone actually measure sand writes
the correct camber reading.

Loss of camber only means some increase in stresses

of the members due to secondary stresses. These
extra stresses will slightly reduce the fatigue life of the
members but the girder is still serviceable.
7.4.Progressive loss of camber:
This is a very serious condition and may be there in the
open web girders or PSC girders. This means that the
camber is being further lost as per the subsequent readings.
The progressive loss of camber means that the camber is
being lost due to loss of prestressing force in concrete
girders. In open web girders, this might be happening due
to the overstressing of either the members or the joints.
Sometimes, the tell tale signs of the distress in the girder
may be at some inaccessible location such as top flange
under ballast. If it is noticed that the loss of camber is
progressive, a restrictive speed restriction shall be imposed
on the girder and the same shall be inspected closely to see
the cause of distress. As per para 505 of IRBM, progressive
loss in camber of Prestressed concrete/ steel girders is
covered under category I of distressed bridges. Thereafter
the girder shall be taken up for rehabilitation or replacement
as deemed fit by the design office.
8.0 Recommendations for proper camber readings:
To summarize, the camber readings shall be taken with
care as follows:
8.1.1. Except when the water tube is being used, readings
shall be taken carefully is one go. If sufficient margin is not
available, traffic block may be taken. If train comes during
readings, readings for entire girder shall be taken again.
8.1.2. Leveling instruments shall be checked for errors in
permanent adjustments and setting shall be planned so as
to take readings without traversing of equipment/telescope
and without rotating the equipment.

Piano wire with weights method is not accurate and shall

not be used.
8.1.4. Camber reading is a very important parameter and
shall be taken twice, preferably with two different methods/
settings to avoid any errors.
8.1.5. Panel points/Points for camber readings shall be
fixed and properly identified by paint marking in case of
steel girders and by fixing steel plates/vitreous tiles in case
of concrete girders.
8.1.6. Proper arrangements for fixing of leveling
instruments/laser equipment shall be provided.
9.0 Epilogue:
Camber reading is a very important parameter and shall be
taken very carefully to maintain safety on bridges. However,
this is a rather indirect method of getting an idea of the
goings on inside the girder. A much better method for the
same is to measure stresses on the girders by providing
strain gauges and taking measurements at site or remotely.
We must reduce our dependence on physical
measurements with these crude methods. The strain
gauging is already in progress as part of efforts to run higher
axle loads on Indian railways & the same can be extended
to eliminate the need for camber measurements. However,
till such time the guidelines for such measurements for all
the bridges is ready, the camber readings shall continue to
be taken with improvements described above to improve
reliability.
10.0 Acknowledgement: The paper is but a compilation of
the ideas given and propagated by Shri S K Sinha, then
CBE, Southern Railway, Shri Devendra Harayan,
SE/Br/Valsad Western Railway and all the SE(Br) who have
measured camber in my tenure as DyCE/Br on Western
Railway. My deep gratitude to them all.

8.1.3. Better methods such as level staff with vernier and

laser distomat shall be used for more accurate readings.

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Ref.: Terragreen - Vol.: 2 issue 5 Aug. 2009

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