INTEGRAL BRIDGES

Presented by:
Safar.N.N
by:
S7, Roll no:59
Civil Engg
Dept
Dipu.V.S
Lecturer

Guided

INTRODUCTIO
N

Integral bridges in simple words, can

be defined as bridges without joints.
Integral bridges are characterized by
monolithic connection between the
deck and the substructure (piers and
abutments). They span from one
abutment, over intermediate support
to the other abutment, without any
joint in the deck. Integral bridges have
been constructed all over the world
including India.
2

WHAT IS AN INTEGRAL
BRIDGE?
Bridges constructed without any
expansion joint (between spans or
between spans and abutments) and
without any bearings are called
integral bridges.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
INTEGRAL BRIDGES
The integral abutment bridge
concept is based on the theory that
due to the flexibility of the piling,
thermal stresses are transferred to
the substructure by way of a rigid
connection between the
superstructure and substructure

MOTIVATION BEHIND INTEGRAL

BRIDGES
To eliminate expansion joints in the deck
When earthquake forces are predominant or
when consideration like increased resistance
to blasts the integral bridge concept is an
excellent option.
Less expensive
Improved durability
Easy to design

WHY GO FOR INTEGRAL

BRIDGES?
The expansion joints and bearings, by
virtue of their functions are sources of
weakness in the bridge and there are
many examples of distress in bridges,
primarily due to poor performance of
these two elements

PROBLEMS OF EXPANSION
JOINTS AND BEARINGS
Leaking of expansion joints and seals permit the surface run-off water from roadway
Continual wear and heavy impact from repeated live loads as well as continual stages of
movement from expansion and contraction

Impact loadings from heavy commercial vehicles

Elastomeric bearings can split and rupture due to unanticipated movements, or ratchet
out of position.

Malfunctioning of bearings can lead to unanticipated structural damage

Joints and bearings are expensive

INTEGRAL ABUTMENT
The integral abutment is defined
as abutment, which is connected
to the bridge deck without any
movement joint for expansion or
contraction of the deck

10

WHY GO FOR INTEGRAL

ABUTMENTS

1.Simple Design

2.Joint less construction

3.Resistance to pressure
4.Rapid construction
5.Ease in constructing
embankments
6.No cofferdams
7.Vertical piles (no battered piles)
8.Simple forms

11

10.Reduced removal of existing elements

11.Simple beam seats
12.Simplified widening and replacement
13.Lower construction costs and future
maintenance costs
14.Improved ride quality
15. It Design efficiency
16.Added redundancy and capacity for
catastrophic events
17.Improve Load distribution
18.Enhance protection for weathering steel

12

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
1.Length of the Structure
2.Climatic Condition
3.Seismic Zone
4.Type of Superstructure
5.Type of Abutments
6.Type of Foundations And Sub-Soil
Conditions
7.Geometry of the Structure
8.Complexity in Analysis and Design

13

RECOMMENDED QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT PRACTICE FOR
Develop design
criteria orBRIDGES
office practices for
INTEGRAL
designing integral abutment and join less
bridges

In extending the remaining service lives of

existing bridges
exchange information in the areas of design,
construction and maintenance of joints and joint
less bridges
The decision to install an approach slab should
be made by the Bridges and Structures Office,
with consultation from the Geotechnical group
Standardize practice of using sleeper slabs at

15

ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRAL
BRIDGES OVER CONVENTIONAL
BRIDGES
1. Simplified details for construction
2. Reduced life cycle cost and long term maintenance
3. Improved design efficiency Improved riding quality
4. Added redundancy with improved seismic performance Ease in
constructing embankments
5. Elimination of water leakage on critical structural elements
6. Lesser tolerance restriction due to elimination of bearings and
expansion joints
7. Faster construction
8. Simplified widening and replacement detail Useful for
strengthening of existing bridges
16

1.

ILLUSTRATIVE
EXAMPLE

Dankuni-Palsit Flyover

It is situated at the durgapur Expressway. The span arrangement for the

overpass is15m + 2x22.0 m + 15m,continuous over the support. The
deck is RC solid slab type integral with the twin piers. The bridge is a
joint less bridge without any expansion joint over intermediate piers
without any bearings

17

2. Kalkaji Flyover
A 150m integral flyover has been provided at the vital T-junction on Ring
Road near Kalkaji Temple. The typical five span continuous deck (25m +
30m + 40m + 30m + 25m), has a voided slab reinforced concrete deck
with a depth of 1.70m, which was hunched and increased to 2.20m at
the piers supporting the 40.0m obligatory main span.

18

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it must be said
that the final product represented
by the integral bridge is vastly
superior in performance in
service conditions as compared to
traditional bridges with bearings
and expansion joints.

19

References

Alok Bhowmick,2005, Design and detailing of integral

bridges:Suggested guidelines;The Indian Concrete
Journal,79(9),pp 43 50.
Alok Bhowmick,2003,Design and construction of integral
bridges- An innovative concept, The Indian Concrete
Journal,77(7),pp 22 35.
www.nabro.unl.edu
www.cbdg.org
1. WALLBANK, E. The performance of concrete in bridges a survey of
200 highway bridges, HMSO, London, 1989, 96pp
2 NICHOLSON, B. Integral abutments for prestressed beam bridges,
British Precast Concrete, Federation, Leicester, 1998, 84pp.
difficult to accommodate in design.
ENGLAND, G., TSANG N. and BUSH, D. Integral bridges: a
fundamental approach to the timetemperature loading problem, Thomas
Telford, London, 1999, 144pp.

21