CONSTRUCTION TECHIQUES

JOSHUA M. OFRENEO
GENERAL ASPECTS
• Freyssinet invented the most exciting
building material “Prestressed
Concrete” in 1928
• Prestressed concrete dominated bridge
construction during the post war period
• 75% of the 500 bridges built in Germany
after war from 1949-1953 is made of
prestressed concrete.
GENERAL ASPECTS
• Continuing efforts to expand the scope
of application of prestressed concrete
has led to growingly imaginative forms
and methods of construction.
• Structures in the last four decades of the
20th century can be built not only
economically but also with elegance and
dignity
 Cantilever Construction
• Cast-in-situ construction
• Construction using precast segments
Cantilever Construction
• This method eliminates the use of
expensive formwork and scaffolding
especially for bridges in deep valleys and
rivers with large depth of water.
Cast-in-situ construction
• The bridge is cast in situ with sections of
3-6m long, cantilevering symmetrically
on both sides of the pier
Cast-in-situ construction
Cast-in-situ construction
• The form work for cast-in-situ
construction is supported by steel frame
work attached to the completed part of
the bridge and form work moves from
one completed section to the next part
Sequential operations for Cast-in-situ
1. Fabrication of steel truss and
shuttering to suit the length of the
cantilever beam
2. Placing of reinforcement and duct
tubes to house the high tensile cables
3. Concreting using the design strength of
concrete mix
Sequential operations for Cast-in-situ
4. Curing the concrete until it develops
the desired compressive strength
5. Threading cables in the ducts followed
by stressing using jacks and anchoring
and grouting of the cables
6. Releasing the form work and moving
on the next section
Construction using precast segments
• The bridge segments comprising
structural elements are cast in a casting
yard using special forms and they are
transported to the work site
• The precast segments are placed in
position by means of a mobile launching
girder
Construction using precast segments
• When access under the bridge is
possible, with barges or trucks by means
of a crane or a mobile hoist located at
the extremity of the cantilevers
Advantages of precast segments
• Segments can be cast on ground near
the work site in advance and the quality
of units will be better than those which
are in situ
• The units can be cured to achieve full
strength before bring them to assemble
at work site.
• The rate of construction is better
compared to cast-in-situ.
Construction using precast segments
Choice of spans and the Methods of
Construction
• Things to be considered - Methods
– Size of bridge
– Span lengths
– Precasting facilities available at site
– Available crane and mechanical
equipments
Choice of spans and the Methods of
Construction
• Cantilever method has been successfully
used in span range of 50-200 m
• No scaffolding beneath the structures in
spans less than 50 m
• Precast segmental construction is
preferred for less than m in span
Choice of spans and the Methods of
Construction
• Spans over 70 m, prestressed concrete
single or multi cell box girders compete
successfully with steel construction
 Slide Title
Product A Product B
• Feature 1 • Feature 1
• Feature 2 • Feature 2
• Feature 3 • Feature 3