| A commercial bridge contains three main | | | | section and web & flange thicknesses. In |
| structural members – Substructure | | | | pre-stressed concrete, there are many variables. |
| (foundation), Superstructure and Deck. The | | | | Not only the shape is variable, but the position and |
| foundation is used to transmit the full weight of | | | | quantity of the pre-stress can be changed to suit |
| the bridge to the earth. It is made up of two | | | | the specific application. |
| components – abutments and columns. An | | | | The structural engineer firm needs to prepare and |
| abutment is the link between the end of the | | | | submit various construction drawings to local |
| bridge and the ground offering support to the end | | | | authorities and Engineer of Records (EOR) for |
| segments of the bridge. The superstructure is the | | | | approval. AutoCAD drawings related to concrete |
| horizontal platform that extends over the distance | | | | beam design contain beam reinforcement details, |
| between columns. The deck of the bridge is the | | | | design notes, precast slab reinforcements details, |
| traffic-carrying exterior plane added to the | | | | bridge cross section, pier pile cap details, abutment |
| superstructure. | | | | pile reinforcement details and various detail |
| The bridge design involves number of factors, | | | | drawings for the concrete bridge. |
| including the live/dead loads, wind patterns, local | | | | Remember, to ensure effective bridge beam |
| geography, water streams, soil conditions, seismic | | | | design and its successful implementation you |
| potential, estimated traffic and cost constraints. | | | | should hire a professional design team to deliver |
| The basic type of bridge is the beam or girder | | | | drawings as per your specifications & |
| bridge having concrete beam as its main | | | | standards. You can also think over outsourcing |
| component. The design of pre-stressed concrete | | | | concrete beam design related needs to developing |
| beams is perhaps one of the most complex jobs | | | | countries like India for better utilization of your |
| for the structural engineer. With most materials, | | | | resources & get significant cost advantages! |
| the designer has to select the shape of the cross | | | | |