INTEGRAL BRIDGES

Presented by: Guided by:

Safar.N.N
S7, RollDipu.V.S
no:59
Civil Engg Dept
Lecturer
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 INTRODUCTION
Integral bridges in simple words, can be
defined as bridges without joints. Integral
bridges are characterized by monolithic
connection between the deck and the
substructure (piers and abutments). They
span from one abutment, over intermediate
support to the other abutment, without any
joint in the deck. Integral bridges have been
constructed all over the world including
India.

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WHAT IS AN INTEGRAL BRIDGE?

Bridges constructed without any

expansion joint (between spans or
between spans and abutments) and
without any bearings are called integral
bridges.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF INTEGRAL
BRIDGES
The integral abutment bridge concept is
based on the theory that due to the
flexibility of the piling, thermal stresses
are transferred to the substructure by
way of a rigid connection between the
superstructure and substructure

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 MOTIVATION BEHIND INTEGRAL
BRIDGES

 To eliminate expansion joints in the deck

 When earthquake forces are predominant or when
consideration like increased resistance to blasts the
integral bridge concept is an excellent option.
Less expensive
Improved durability
Easy to design
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WHY GO FOR INTEGRAL BRIDGES?

The expansion joints and bearings, by virtue

of their functions are sources of weakness in
the bridge and there are many examples of
distress in bridges, primarily due to poor
performance of these two elements

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 PROBLEMS OF EXPANSION JOINTS
AND BEARINGS
 Leaking of expansion joints and seals permit the surface run-off water from roadway
Continual wear and heavy impact from repeated live loads as well as continual stages of movement
from expansion and contraction

Impact loadings from heavy commercial vehicles

Elastomeric bearings can split and rupture due to unanticipated movements, or ratchet out of
position.

Malfunctioning of bearings can lead to unanticipated structural damage

 Joints and bearings are expensive

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 INTEGRAL ABUTMENT

The integral abutment is defined as

abutment, which is connected to the
bridge deck without any movement
joint for expansion or contraction of
the deck

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WHY GO FOR INTEGRAL ABUTMENTS

1. Simple Design
2. Joint less construction
3. Resistance to pressure
4. Rapid construction
5. Ease in constructing embankments
6. No cofferdams
7. Vertical piles (no battered piles)
8. Simple forms
9. Few construction joints 11
10.Reduced removal of existing elements
11.Simple beam seats
12.Simplified widening and replacement
13.Lower construction costs and future maintenance
costs
14.Improved ride quality
15. It Design efficiency
16.Added redundancy and capacity for catastrophic
events
17.Improve Load distribution
18.Enhance protection for weathering steel girders 12
 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
1. Length of the Structure
2. Climatic Condition
3. Seismic Zone
4. Type of Superstructure
5. Type of Abutments
6. Type of Foundations And Sub-Soil Conditions
7. Geometry of the Structure
8. Complexity in Analysis and Design
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RECOMMENDED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
PRACTICE FOR INTEGRAL BRIDGES
Develop design criteria or office practices for
designing integral abutment and join less bridges
In extending the remaining service lives of existing
bridges
exchange information in the areas of design,
construction and maintenance of joints and joint less
bridges
The decision to install an approach slab should be
made by the Bridges and Structures Office, with
consultation from the Geotechnical group
Standardize practice of using sleeper slabs at the
end of all approach slabs 15
 ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRAL BRIDGES
OVER CONVENTIONAL BRIDGES

1. Simplified details for construction

2. Reduced life cycle cost and long term maintenance
3. Improved design efficiency Improved riding quality
4. Added redundancy with improved seismic performance Ease in
constructing embankments
5. Elimination of water leakage on critical structural elements
6. Lesser tolerance restriction due to elimination of bearings and
expansion joints
7. Faster construction
8. Simplified widening and replacement detail Useful for
strengthening of existing bridges

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 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
1. Dankuni-Palsit Flyover
It is situated at the durgapur Expressway. The span arrangement for the overpass
is15m + 2x22.0 m + 15m,continuous over the support. The deck is RC solid slab
type integral with the twin piers. The bridge is a joint less bridge without any
expansion joint over intermediate piers without any bearings

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 2. Kalkaji Flyover
A 150m integral flyover has been provided at the vital T-junction on Ring Road
near Kalkaji Temple. The typical five span continuous deck (25m + 30m + 40m +
30m + 25m), has a voided slab reinforced concrete deck with a depth of 1.70m,
which was hunched and increased to 2.20m at the piers supporting the 40.0m
obligatory main span.

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it must be said that

the final product represented by the
integral bridge is vastly superior in
performance in service conditions as
compared to traditional bridges with
bearings and expansion joints.

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 References
 Alok Bhowmick,2005, Design and detailing of integral
bridges:Suggested guidelines;The Indian Concrete Journal,79(9),pp
43 – 50.
 Alok Bhowmick,2003,Design and construction of integral bridges- An
innovative concept, The Indian Concrete Journal,77(7),pp 22 – 35.
 www.nabro.unl.edu
 www.cbdg.org
 1. WALLBANK, E. The performance of concrete in bridges – a survey of
200 highway bridges, HMSO, London, 1989, 96pp
 2 NICHOLSON, B. Integral abutments for prestressed beam bridges,
British Precast Concrete, Federation, Leicester, 1998, 84pp.
 difficult to accommodate in design.
 ENGLAND, G., TSANG N. and BUSH, D. Integral bridges: a
fundamental approach to the time–temperature loading problem, Thomas
Telford, London, 1999, 144pp.
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