ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF MULTI CELL TYPE BOX GIRDER – AN ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE FOR LONG SPAN BRIDGES

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF MULTI CELL TYPE BOX GIRDER – AN ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE FOR LONG SPAN BRIDGES

ABSTRACT

In recent years, single or multi – cell reinforced concrete box girder bridges have been widely used as economic and aesthetic solution for today’s highway systems. The main advantage of this type of bridge lies in the high rigidity in torsion. This is due to the closed box–section and convenience in varying the depth along the span. High torsion
stiffness gives them better stability and load distribution characteristics and also makes this form particularly suitable for Grade separations. This hollow section also can be used to accommodate services and has added advantage of less weight. The paper includes case study of an upcoming bridge at “Surat”, Gujarat. The bridge superstructure is taken as multi cell type box girder. The parametric studies for alternatives of multi cell with three, four, and five cells have been incorporated. Study also includes effect on multi cell with and without inclined web. For analysis IRC-6 vehicle loading has been considered. The software modeling and FEM analysis is to be carried out and the results of moment and shear distribution for each cell would be compared with results form empirical methods. This paper is oriented to give the most
effective alternative for upcoming bridge.