Span ratios in bridges constructed using a balanced cantilever method

Abstract

This paper introduces a relation to determine the span ratio between exterior and interior spans, which is required in the preliminary design stage of bridges constructed by balanced cantilever method. On the basis of the numerical results obtained by rigorous time-dependent analyses and by the simple equations introduced in the companion paper, the moment distribution along the spans and its variation with the construction sequence are reviewed, and a recommendation for a rational design is suggested. First, a relation for the initial tendon force is derived on the basis of an assumption that no vertical drift occurs at the far end of a cantilever beam due to the balanced condition between the self-weight and the cantilever tendons. In advance, the determination of an effective span ratio is followed with an assumption that the magnitude of maximum negative moment must be the same as that of the maximum positive moment along all of the spans. Finally, many rigorous time-dependent analyses are conducted to establish the validity of the introduced relations, and this paper shows that an effective span length ratio of the exterior span to the interior span ranges between 0.75 and 0.8.