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ABSTRACT
The bridge is a work which encompasses several characteristics; it is an engineering structure, also a structure which ensures a transportation service (road or rail) and must also guarantee the safety of users. Its design thus requires a sound knowledge of the modeling of structures, design and calculation standards, physical and mechanical properties of the materials to be used in acceptable economic conditions and implementation methods. Indeed, both the impact of the traffic load carried and that of exterior phenomena such as wind, fluvial currents or earthquakes have to be taken into consideration. This article details the dimensioning elements for the various types of bridges such as pre-stressed concrete, suspension, metal or arch bridges.
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Read the articleAUTHORS
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Jean-Armand CALGARO: Engineer General of Ponts et Chaussées - Professor at the Centre des hautes études de la construction - Permanent member of the French General Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CGCDD)
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Anne BERNARD-GELY: Ponts et Chaussées chief engineer
INTRODUCTION
A good knowledge of the main types of structures, the extent of their field of use and their dimensioning methods, is essential for undertaking design studies for a bridge in a given site.
But a bridge is not just a work of art. It is built to provide a service for which public opinion demands a high level of quality, safety and reliability. As far as structural strength is concerned, this level is normally guaranteed by compliance with the standards and rules of the art that make up a technical reference system that is now mainly European (Eurocodes, standards for execution, products, materials, tests, European technical approvals, etc.).
But compliance with these rules and standards alone is not enough. The study of the stability of certain large bridges is leading engineers to go beyond the traditional codification and systematically study their dynamic behavior under the effect of actions such as traffic, wind or a possible earthquake, and thus to define the degree of reliability of the structure they are designing.
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Bridge design
Context
Bibliography
Also in our database
Websites
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AFGC (French Civil Engineering Association)
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AFNOR (French Standards Association)
http://www.afnor.org/datacons/normalisation_actualite/eurocodes/eurocode1.html
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Standards and norms
Bridge design and dimensioning are governed by French standards transposing European standards (Eurocodes), and may be supplemented by national standards. In seismic zones, the requirements of current national regulations must be taken into account.
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