1) Please write and submit a short essay, presenting your views on how you would like to build

bridges with statements of your position then; for example, Minister of Infrastructure, Prime
Minister, In-house public engineer, Consultant, Architect, Teacher, etc……

As I am working as a highway engineer in the Department of Roads, Nepal, I would like to express
my views based on my experience for bridge construction.

The department of Roads has to construct so many bridges throughout Nepal. The major types of
bridges are RCC cast-in-situ bridge, Post-tensioned pre-stressed bridge, and steel bridges. There are
very few other types of bridges like a suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, arch bridges etc.

As we have just entered into pre-stress concrete bridge, where we need high strength concrete. But
due to lack of efficient technical lab we are not to do any type of research related to high-strength
concrete or the testing of cable, anchorage block. Even in site, due to lack of proper technical person,
sometime it is difficult to tensioning the cable. And that’s why sometimes, we find concrete-bursting
at the end of jacking and some minor cracks after completion of tensioning of cable. Proper research
should also be needed to design more efficient and economical bridge.

In Nepal, Bridge is usually built for overcoming the obstacle not to reflect some scenic beauty or some
cultural along with its purpose of crossing. In city we require some iconic type of bridge so that people
can enjoy the scenic beauty when travel through such bridges.

As we have no any detail study of debris brought up by river in rainy season, so it will be better to
avoid the pier construction in between the river. So usually long span bridges should be preferred.

In Nepal, bridge structure failed or delayed in construction due to having problem in foundation. So
proper geotechnical investigation should be needed before
designing the structure.

In 21st century, there are still some place where “tuins” (a ropeway
on which people tie themselves and cross the river) exists. So it is
more necessary to build bridges on that place.

Figure 1 Student crossing River by using Tuin

In summary, these things to be considered for bridge construction

 To do research on some bridge components, materials, small scale full model in lab then to
actual field construction.
 Train the technical person properly before constructing.
 Bridge structure should be aesthetically good with proper safety assurance.
 The bridge structure should incorporate proper footpath width
 It should be designed suitable to the site
 Prioritization for bridge construction location.
 Proper and detailed Geotechnical Investigation should be done.

2) Course Evaluation:

As I am working in the bridge construction field, I am very much excited about this lecture from the
beginning. With detailed presentation slides and discussion in class makes me understand the contents.
In the presentation, we got the chance to see some new innovative ideas for bridge types that make me
quite impressed. At last, we see some bridge failure photos, which helps to understand the significance
of proper construction of the bridge. It will be better if we get some idea on bridge retrofitting
techniques or bridge design.