Construction Engineering for Horizontally Curved Steel I-Girder Bridges

Abstract

The erection of horizontally curved steel I-girder bridges is inherently more complex than the erection of straight I-girder bridges of similar span lengths. Complexities associated with curved steel I-girder bridge erection are a direct result of the natural behavior of curved steel I-girders. The bridge erector and contractor is often directed to provide a construction plan, stamped and signed by a professional engineer, that details the steel erection procedure and provides calculations that demonstrate the girders and bridge components meet stability and structural capacity requirements. Bridge engineers must be aware of the complexities associated with the behavior of curved steel I-girders when they are developing erection plans. When these complexities are not considered by the contractor's engineer, significant problems or even a girder collapse can result. Currently, little guidance is given in design specifications and archival literature that illustrates what is required in the construction plans for curved steel I-girder erection and the calculations and design checks that should be carried out. This paper highlights aspects of curved steel I-girder bridge erection that should be considered by the contractor's engineer in the development of the steel erection plans for horizontally curved I-girder bridges in order to provide for a successful bridge construction project.