evolution of bridge technology · asce/sei workshop, washington dc, feb.2008 evolution of bridge...
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ASCE/SEI Workshop, Washington DC, Feb.2008
EVOLUTION OF BRIDGE TECHNOLOGY
BYMAN-CHUNG TANG, Chairman of the Board
Presented byTom Ho, Vice President
T.Y. Lin International
1. What has been the most important factor in the evolution of bridge technology?
2. Would the Romans and the Egyptians be able to build our bridges if they had the construction materials of today?
Evolution:Human beings started building bridges many thousand years ago.
What made our modern bridges different from the ancient ones?
First of all,
What are our bridges made up of?
Let us look at the bridges we have today.
In the several thousand years since we started building bridges, we have built only
FOUR TYPES OF BRIDGES
In the several thousand years since we started building bridges, we have built only
FOUR TYPES OF BRIDGES
Girder bridgesArch bridges
Suspension bridgesCable-stayed bridges
Extradosed Bridge is a combination of girder bridge and cable-stayed bridge
We can have other combinations too
Partially cable-supported girder bridges.
Franz Dishcinger proposed this combination of
cable-stayed and suspension bridge
But, still only these four basic types.
All four types of bridges have existed for millenniums!
SUSPENSION
GIRDER
CABLE-STAYED
STRESS RIBBONCONT. BEAM
They were not as sophisticated.
But, conceptually correct nevertheless!
All four types of bridge have existed for millenniums!
SUSPENSION
GIRDER
CABLE-STAYED
STRESS RIBBONCONT. BEAM
They were not as sophisticated. But, conceptually correct nevertheless!
They build them
IntuitivelyEven before
we gave them a name.
All four types of bridge have existed for millenniums!
SUSPENSION
GIRDER
CABLE-STAYED
STRESS RIBBONCONT. BEAM
They were not as sophisticated. But, conceptually correct nevertheless!
They used Construction materials
available naturally!Wood, vines, stone, ropes,
etc.
Sad to admit, In the last few thousand years,
We have NOT invented any new bridge type.
Because we have not invented anything
It is an evolutionNot any revolution.
Because we have not invented anything
It is an evolutionNot any revolution.
But, our bridges today are
Bigger, stronger, more sophisticated, more durableand, more predictable.
Today’s bridges
Bigger, stronger,
more sophisticated,
and
more durable
CRAIGELLACHIE, 1815
What affects the evolution of bridge technology?
What affect the evolution of bridge technology?
Science - structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material
Look at these old, old structures
What affect the evolution of bridge technology?
Structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material
?
What affect the evolution of bridge technology?
Structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material ?
They did it empirically!
Structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material
They did it empirically!
0204060
1stQtr
3rdQtr
WestNorth
Great Pyramid of Gaza2550 BC
Pyramid of Dozer2750BC
They did it empirically!
Structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material
They made it work, somehow!
Material has been the most important factor in the evolution!
Structural theoriesConstruction equipmentConstruction material
Creation of a bridge - A Flow Chart
A Flow Chart
Two Dominating Materials in the History of Bridge Construction are:
Stone
Steel
Dominating influence
&
Two main eras in bridge evolution:
Arch Era2000BC– 1850ADAlmost 4000 years
Contemporary Era1850AD - now Only about 160 years
Stone
Steel
&
2000
BC
Rom
an
Em
pire
Con
tem
pora
ry E
ra18
50 A
D
2008
AD
Arch Era
ARCH ERAStone
Up to two hundred years ago, the only construction material available was STONE.
STONE can take high compression,but very little tension.
Arch is the only bridge type that does not require tensile capacity of the material
Arch is the only bridge type that does not require tensile capacity of the material
The Romans built many spectacular
arch bridges
The Romans built many spectacular
arch bridges
Over 2000 years ago!
The Romans built many spectacular
arch bridges
The Roman arches are all semi-circular
Zhaozhou Bridge, ChinaSpan 37m, Rise 7m. Built 600AD
18.5m
37m
37m
7m
A Roman ArchZhaozhou Bridge
The first non-semi-circular arch bridge.
Semi-circular vs Segmental
7m
18.5m
The Romans were really masters on stone arches!
The Romans were really masters on stone arches!
But, for almost one and a half millennia after the Romans,
nothing new happened!
Contemporary EraFrom 1850 until now
Then came the
Contemporary EraFrom 1850 until now
Only about 160 years. But there were more bridges built in these 160 years
than the 4000 years before it.
Contemporary EraFrom 1850 until now
Iron & Steel
There was a transition period that we had IRON as construction material.
Iron is much stronger than stone, but its tensile capacity is still very limited.
There was a transition period that we had IRON as construction material.
Iron is much stronger than stone, but its tensile capacity is still very limited.
We may categorize iron as a primitive form of steel, as far as construction material is concerned.
The Chinese started building iron chain suspension bridges around 600 AD
A suspension bridge in Tibet
A bridge in Tibet
A bridge in Tibet
Coalbrookdale Bridge,Span 30.5mBy Thomas Pritchard, 1779
Dom Luis I BridgeBy Gustav Eiffel and Th. Seyrig,
1885, span = 172m
Iron arch bridges was popular for a period of time
Menai Bridge – the first major suspension Bridge
Designed by Thomas Telford, span = 176mbased on a patent by James Findley, completed in 1826.
With iron eye bar chains as main cable.
Menai Bridge – the first major suspension Bridge
Designed by Thomas Telford, span = 176mbased on a patent by James Findley, completed in 1826.
With iron eye bar chains as main cable.
B
SteelMass production processes were introduced in the mid 19th
century
SteelMass production processes were introduced in the mid 19th
centuryIt changed the entire landscape of bridge construction
SteelMass production processes were introduced in the mid 19th
centuryIt changed the entire landscape of bridge construction
Steel plates used for girders – boxes and trussesSteel bars for concrete reinforcement
Steel cold drawn wires for cablesSteel wires for prestressing
SteelMass production processes were introduced in the mid 19th
century
Three landmark steel bridge structures before the 20th century:
1. St. Louis Bridge by James Eads, 1874 2. Brooklyn Bridge by the Roeblings, 1883
3. Firth of Forth Bridge by John Fowler and Benj. Baker, 1889
The St Louis Bridge over the Mississippi.Completed 1874, Spans 153m + 158.5m + 153mDesigned by James Eads
The Brooklyn Bridge, New York CityCompleted 1883, Span 486m.Designed by John and Washington Roebling
The Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland.Completed 1889, Span 521m.Designed by John Fowler and Benjamin Baker
Then came
A tale of three bridges, in early 1900s……………………
Hell Gate Bridge, Sydney Harbor BridgeBayonne Bridge
The Hell Gate Bridge in New York by Gustav Lindenthal. Span = 298m.
Completed in 1916.
Sydney Harbor Bridge. Span = 503m by Ralph Freemann, Const. 1924 - 1932.
Bayonne Bridge in NY. By Othmar Ammann
Span = 503.6m Constr. 1928 - 1931
New River Gorge, USA, 1978Span = 518.3m
Lupu, China, 2004Span = 550m
Competition of Span LengthsSpan Year
Hell Gate, NY Gustav Lindenthal 298 1916Sydney Harbor Ralph Freemann 503 1932Bayonne, NY Othmar Amman 503.6 1931 New River Gorge, WV Michael Bakers 518.3 1978Lupu, Shanghai Lin Yuan Pui 550 2004Caotienmen, Chongqing 552 2008
Competition of Arch Span Length
0100200300400500600
1850 1900 1950 2000 2050Year
Spa
n Le
ngth
s (m
)
Hel
lgat
e
Syd
ney
Har
bor
Bay
onne
New
Riv
er G
orge Lu
puC
aotie
nmen
Pia
Mar
iaG
arab
it
St.
Loui
s
Luis
I
Long span suspension bridges
became possible only after high strength wire was available.
High Strength Steel Wire for Suspension Bridges
Some landmark suspension bridges:
Brooklyn 486m, 1883George Washington 1067m, 1931Golden Gate 1280m, 1937Verranzano Narrows 1298m, 1964Humber 1410m, 1981Storebelt 1624m, 1998Akashi Kaikyo 1991m, 2000
Golden Gate 1280m, 1937Verranzano Narrows 1298m, 1964Humber 1410m, 1981
Storebelt 1624m 1998Akashi 1991m 2000
Longest Suspension Bridge Spans
0500
1000150020002500
1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050Year
Span
Len
gth
(m)
Men
ai Bro
okly
n G. W
ashi
ngto
nG
olde
n G
ate
Ver
ranz
ano
Hum
ber
Sto
rebe
lt Aka
shi
Sar
ine
Val
ley
Longest Suspension Bridge Spans
0500
1000150020002500
1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050Year
Span
Len
gth
(m)
Men
ai Bro
okly
n G. W
ashi
ngto
nG
olde
n G
ate
Ver
ranz
ano
Hum
ber
Sto
rebe
lt Aka
shi
Sar
ine
Val
ley
Iron Steel
The two giants:
Messina 3,300mGibraltar 5,000m
High Strength Wires also made cable-stayed bridges popular
High Strength Wires also made cable-stayed bridges popular
Because of the sag, cables must be stressed to a high force to be effective.
Consequently, cables must be highly stressed.
High Strength Wires also made cable-stayed bridges popular
Because of the sag, cables must be stressed to a high force to be effective.
Consequently, cables must be highly stressed.
This means, cable wires must be very high strength.
Three World Record Spans within 60km.(Dusseldorf & Duisburg)Theodore Heuss 260m 1957Knie 320m 1970Neuenkamp 350m 1971
Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge Spans
0200400600800
10001200
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020Year
Span
Len
gths
(m)
Stro
msu
ndTh
. Heu
ss
Leve
rkus
en
Kni
eN
euen
kam
p
Sai
n N
azai
re
Ann
acis
Yan
gpu
Nor
man
dy
Tata
ra
Sut
ong
High Strength Steel also made prestressed concrete bridges possible
High Strength Steel also made prestressed concrete bridges possible
Without high strength steel, prestressing is not effective.
Bendorf BridgeSpan 208m, 1962
Second Shibanpo BridgeSpan 330m, 2006
Two Significant Prestressed ConcreteBox Girder Bridges
CONCRETE GIRDER BRIDGES
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
YEAR OF COMPLETION
SPA
N L
ENG
TH (m
)
混凝土連續剛構跨度
“Concept of Structures“ by Man-Chung Tang,, 2003
年份
Milestone Segmental Bridges
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
YEAR
SPA
N L
ENG
TH (m
)
Balduinstein
Stolmasundet
KororBendorf
Worms
混凝土連續剛構跨度
“Concept of Structures“ by Man-Chung Tang,, 2003
Shibanpo
Gateway
LONGEST STEEL BOX GIRDER BRIDGES
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
YEAR OF COMPLETION
SPA
N L
ENG
TH (m
)
钢箱跨度
“Concept of Structures“ by Man-Chung Tang,, 2003
年份
Effect of Materials on Evolution of Bridge Technology
Wood - timber bridges, short spansStone - arch bridges, longer spansIron - early suspension bridgesSteel - long span girder bridgesSteel wires - long span suspension bridges
- cable-stayed bridges- prestressed concrete bridges
Evolution:1. What was the most important factor in
the evolution in bridges?
2. Would the Romans and the Egyptians be able to build our bridges if they had the construction materials we have?
Evolution:1. What was the most important factor in
the evolution in bridges?
2. Would the Romans and the Egyptians be able to build our bridges if they had the construction materials we have?
Obviously, no one knows. But let us take an example.
Aerodynamics
Most early suspension bridges were failed by wind.
Around 1800, James Findley patented the stiffened suspension bridge.
Most of those bridges were destroyed by wind.
Aerodynamics
Most early suspension bridges were failed by wind.
Around 1800, James Findley patented the stiffened suspension bridge.
Most of those bridges were destroyed by wind.
Around 1870, John Roebling installed inclined cables in Wheeling Bridge to help mitigate wind vibration problems. It worked!
He found a solution in less than 70 years.
Aerodynamics
Most early suspension bridges were failed by wind.
Around 1800, James Findley patented the stiffened suspension bridge.
Most of those bridges were destroyed by wind.
Around 1870, John Roebling installed inclined cables in Wheeling Bridge to help mitigate wind vibration problems. It worked!
He found a solution in less than 70 years.
Aerodynamics
Most engineering solutions came before the theory.
Engineering is an art, not a science!
Most engineering solutions came before the theory.Engineering is an art, not a science!
And,
Looking at how the Egyptians, the Romans and the Chinese built their spectacular structures,
Structural theories and modern equipments do not seem that important.
Most engineering solutions came before the theory.Engineering is an art, not a science!
To answer my second question, I may dare say that given the materials we have today,
The Romans and the Egyptians would most probably be able to build our bridges too!
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Two pre-requisites determine if a bridge will be built:
1. Affordability2. Necessity
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Two pre-requisites determine if a bridge will be built:
1. Affordability2. Necessity
Cost vs. Value
COSTS:
Planning
Right of Way
Construction
Maintenance
Others
VALUE:
Functional value
Community Value
Political Value
Aesthetic Value
Others
<=>
NO!
YES!
COSTS:
Planning
Right of Way
Construction
Maintenance
Others
VALUE:
Functional value
Community Value
Political Value
Aesthetic Value
Others
<=
COSTS:
Planning
Right of Way
Construction
Maintenance
Others
VALUE:
Functional value
Community Value
Political Value
Aesthetic Value
Others
<=
Related to the Living Standard.
Related to Construction cost index.
COSTS:
Planning
Right of Way
Construction
Maintenance
Others
VALUE:
Functional value
Community Value
Political Value
Aesthetic Value
Others
<=
Related to the Living Standard.
Related to Construction cost index.
As our society progresses,
the living standard usually increases faster than the construction costs.
That means, some bridges we can not afford today may become affordable tomorrow.
As our society progresses,
the living standard usually increases faster than the construction costs.
That means, some bridges we can not afford today may become affordable tomorrow.
That also means, we will be building bigger and bigger bridges, as time goes by!
As our society progresses,
the living standard usually increases faster than the construction costs.
That means, some bridges we can not afford today may become affordable tomorrow.
That also means, we will be building bigger and bigger bridges, as time goes by!
As our society progresses,
the living standard usually increases faster than the construction costs.
Good news for us bridge engineers!
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Two pre-requisites determine if a bridge will be built:
1. Affordability2. Necessity
When do we need a new bridge?
Periods with Great Opportunities: The expansion of the Roman EmpireThe industrial revolutionThe re-construction after World War IICurrently, in China, India and other developing countries.
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Periods with Great Opportunities: The expansion of the Roman Empire - Stone Arch BridgesThe industrial revolution - Steel productionThe re-construction after World War IICurrently, in China, India and other developing countries.
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
The Expansion of the Roman Empire - Stone Arch BridgesThe industrial revolution - Steel productionThe re-construction after World War II -
cable-stayed bridges, orthotropic decks, prestressed concrete bridges, composite decks
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Periods with Great Opportunities:The Expansion of the Roman Empire - Stone Arch BridgesThe industrial revolution - Steel productionThe re-construction after World War II -
cable-stayed bridges, orthotropic decks, prestressed concrete bridges, composite decks
Currently, in China, India and other developing countries.?
ButEvolution of bridge technology can only happen if we have the opportunity to build bridges.
Periods with Great Opportunities:The Expansion of the Roman Empire - Stone Arch BridgesThe industrial revolution - Steel productionThe re-construction after World War II -
cable-stayed bridges, orthotropic decks, prestressed concrete bridges, composite decks
Currently, in China, India and other developing countries.
We will see !
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苏通大桥第五次专家论坛 正交异性板钢桥面的一个新构思 林同棪国际 -邓文中
Currently, we have new materials with very high strength: composites, HPC, etc.
What kind of evolution in bridge technology will they bring us ?
My last question today:
Currently, we have new materials with very high strength: composites, HPC, etc.
What kind of evolution in bridge technology will they bring us ?
My last question today:
They say, We can predict the future based on the past!
Currently, we have new materials with very high strength: composites, HPC, etc.
What kind of evolution in bridge technology will they bring us ?
My last question today:
They say, We can predict the future based on the past!
For Example…….
IN RUSSIA
History may offer good hints for the future!
IN RUSSIA
HAIRY
Here is a historic record of HAIR.
BALD HAIRY
HAIRY HAIRYBALD BALD BALD
Obviously the next President must be a hairy one!!
Currently, we have new materials with very high strength: composites, HPC, etc.
What kind of evolution in bridge technology will they bring us ?
We know they will definitely enhance the bridge performance, but would they bring out now bridge types?
Let us forget about the hairs …..
Currently, we have new materials with very high strength: composites, HPC, etc.
What kind of evolution in bridge technology will they bring us ?
Coming back to My last question today:
Well, this is the homework for the future generations of engineer,
because I still have no idea!
Thank You!