ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHigh Performance Steel Bridges

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Monestier de Clermont Viaduct, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHigh Performance Steel Bridges

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Contents1. Introduction to ECCS2. History of Iron & Steel Bridges3. The Construction Process4. Advantages of Steel Bridges5. 21st Century Steel Bridges6. Steels for Modern Bridge Construction7. Research and Development8. Contacts & Sources of Further Information9. Conclusions

Steel has a long history, and a bright future in bridge construction

Rhine Bridge, Ilverich, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkIntroduction to ECCS

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Aim of ECCSTo represent Steel Fabricators at European levelTo promote the use of steelwork in construction• Development of standards and technical guidance• Production of technical and promotional material

Mosel Viaduct, TGV Est, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkAim of the ECCS Bridge Committee

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To promote the use of steel in bridgesActivityInternational symposia on steel bridges:1. London, 19882. Paris, 19923. Rotterdam, 19964. Leipzig, 19995. Barcelona, 20036. Prague, 20067. Guimaraes, 2008Bridges in Steel publications:• The Use of weathering steel in bridges• Steel bridges for high-speed railways

Millau Viaduct, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkECCS Award for Steel Bridges

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To promote the use of steel in bridges

Lifting Bridge, Rouen, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHistory of Iron & Steel Bridges

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Iron Bridge, Coalbrookdale, UK, 1779

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHistory of Iron & Steel Bridges

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Chronology1857 – Weichsel Bridge, Dirschau, Germany1870 – Kymijoki rail bridge, Finland1884 – Garabit Viaduct, France1890 – Forth Bridge, UK

Forth Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland

Forth Bridge, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHistory of Iron & Steel Bridges

Chronology1935 – Lillebaelt Bridge, Denmark1966 – Severn Bridge, UK1985 – Faro Bridges, Denmark1995 – Normandy Bridge, France

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Lillebaelt Bridge, Denmark

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkThe Construction Process

Overview:Delivery of steel plates & sectionsFabrication of steelworkTransportation to siteSteel bridge erectionDeck completion

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkDelivery of steel plates & sections

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkFabrication of steelwork

• High quality and job safety byfabrication in closed workshops

• High level of automatisation

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkTransportation to site

• Large erection units possible• Minimum impact on environments

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSteel bridge erection

Erection by launching or lifting

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSteel bridge erection

Erection by floating

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkDeck completion

Completion of concrete decks by casting or pre-fabricated elements

Movable Scaffolding Prefabricated deck elements

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkComposite Bridges – Construction Process

One of 40 bridges with 2 spans of 20 m each - Optimisation

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A16 motorway (F)

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkComposite Bridges – Construction Process

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Construction steps

Preassembled steelwork lifted in position on bearingShear connector pockets and transverse joints filled with concretePrecast deck slab units placed on top flangesFinishing works carried out to complete deck

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkComposite Bridges – Construction Process

Preassembled steelwork (35t)lifted into position

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Placement of slab units

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkComposite Bridges – Construction Process

Slab deck units before concreting

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Transversal connection with reinforcement

Pockets for shear connectors

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkAdvantages of Steel Bridges

• High strength to weight ratio• High quality material• Speed of construction• Versatility of construction• Modification, repair, & demolition• Durability• Sustainability• Aesthetics

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Steel, an ideal material for bridge construction

Long Bridge, Czech Republic

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHigh Strength to Weight Ratio

• Minimum substructure costs• Transportation & handling• Shallow construction depth

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Newark Dyke Rail Bridge, UK

Steel was selected due to:

• Minimum construction depth

• Low self-weight

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHigh Quality Material

• Readily available worldwide• Rigorous testing regimes

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Prefabrication: high quality work at minimum cost

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSpeed of Construction

• Minimum disruption to existing transportation networks• Installation of large components or even whole bridges

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Hallen Bridge, Bristol, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkVersatility of Construction

Range of construction methods• Cranes• Slide-in• Transporters• Float-in

Components sized to suit accessFlexible erection programmePlatform for subsequent work

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Mediterranean High Speed Railway line, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkModification, Repair and Demolition

Steel bridges are adaptable• Widened• Strengthened• Repaired• Recycled

E.g. Tamar Bridge, UK

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By replacing the concrete deck with a new light-weight steel deck, the widened 5-lane bridge is only 25T heavier than the old 3-lane bridge.

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkDurability

Steel has a predictable long life• Robustness and ease of repair• Long life paint systems• Life prolonged by repainting• Adaptable to new requirements

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Hochdonn-Bridge,

Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSustainability

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Luiz I Bridge, Portugal

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSustainability

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Sustainability advantages of steel bridges• Long life• Minimum use of resources• Erection minimises traffic disruption• Erection minimises impact on environment• Recycleability of steel

emissions toair, water, soil

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkAesthetics

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Broad architectural possibilities• Sculptured to any form• Light or heavy• High surface quality• Clean sharp lines• Attention to detail• Colour & contrast

Lowry Bridge, Manchester, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional Steelwork21st Century Steel Bridges

Types of bridge construction:1. Multi-beam 15 – 100m2. Box girder 45 – 300m3. Truss 40 – 500m+4. Arch 30 – 500m5. Cable-stayed 200 – 1000m+6. Suspension 350 – 2000m+7. Moving bridges

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Karkinen Bridge, Finland

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkMulti-beam / Composite Decks

Competitive highway bridges:• Steel girders• Composite RC slab• Rolled sections:

Simple spans < 30mContinuous < 40m

• Plate girdersLonger spansVariable depthEfficient sections

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Festival Park Flyover, Stoke

Santa Maria Viaduct, Urbino, Italy

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkFiller Beam Decks

High performance bridges:• High load capacity• Shallow construction depth• High stiffness• Minimum disruption

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Festival Park Flyover, Stoke

Bridge over A30 Motorway, Fameck, France

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkBox Girder Bridges

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Mosel Viaduct, Schengen, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkTruss Bridges

Application of truss bridges:• Stiffening girders (e.g. on suspension bridges)• Through & half-through• Composite deck type• ‘Temporary’ bridges• Truss arches• Cantilever bridges

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Muota River Bridge, Switzerland

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkArch Bridges

Types of arch bridge:1. True arch2. Tied arch (“Bowstring”)

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Viaduct over Dora River, Turin-Milan HSL, Italy (Courtesy of Italferr)

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkCable-stayed Bridges

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Marian Bridge, Czech Republic

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSuspension Bridges

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A combination of grace and grandeur

Storda Bridge, Norway

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkMoving Bridges

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Barcelona Bascule Bridge, Spain

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkSteels for Modern Bridge Construction

The latest developments in steels for modern bridges:• Weathering steel• Longitudinal profiled plate• Ultra-Thick Plates• High-strength steel

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Findhorn Viaduct, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkWeathering Steel

Weathering steel bridges do not require painting• Low initial cost, minimum maintenance, minimum disruption

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Westgate Bridges, Gloucester, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkLongitudinally Profiled (LP) Plate

• Optimum design efficiency• Faster fabrication

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• Avoids complex welds• Enhances fatigue performance

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkUltra-Thick Plates

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• High quality even for thicker materials• Reduction of fabrication time• Robustness

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHigh-Strength Steel

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Advantages include savings in material and fabrication costs. Reduced self-weight benefits transportation, handling and erection. Result is longer spans & slimmer more elegant structures

Erasmus Bridge, Netherlands

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkResearch & Development

Example R&D projects from around Europe:• Standard bridges• Full thickness precast decks• VFT composite bridges (partially prefabricated)• PreCoBeam bridges• Integral bridges• Sustainable bridges

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Monitoring of the bridge Entenpfuhl, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkStandard Bridges

A range of standard steel bridges:• Minimum design period and design cost• Low construction and erection cost• Speed of construction• Minimum traffic disruption• Low maintenance cost• Minimum construction depth

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A19 Bridge, Bentwisch, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkFull Thicknesss Precast Decks

Precast decks• Full width sections, 2-3m long• Pockets facilitate in situ stitch• Focus is composite action

in hogging regions

Potential advantages:• Speed of construction• Quality of prefabrication• Avoids in situ edge cantilever

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Loch CreranBridge, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkVFT Composite Bridges

Use of prefabricated concrete flange:• Stabilizes beam• Bracing not required for casting• Falsework & formwork eliminated• Stiffeners not usually needed

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Horlofftalbrucke, Hungen, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkPreCoBeam Bridges

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Prefabricated Composite Beam:

Pocking Bridge, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkIntegral Bridges

Integral steel bridges:• Structural continuity between the deck & supporting elements• Various types• No joints / bearings

Potential advantages:• Reduced cost• Less maintenance• Greater robustness• Faster construction• Economic wall design

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Lutterworth Bridge, UK

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkHollow sections

Hollow section:• Esthetical and efficient solution

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Lutterworth Bridge, UK

St. Kilian Bridge, Germany

ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkContacts

Support from the steel industry around Europe:• ECCS, Belgium (www.steelconstruct.com)• ArcelorMittal, Luxembourg (www.arcelormittal.com)• Dillinger Hütte GTS, Germany (www.dillinger.de)• Salzgitter AG, Germany (www.salzgitter-ag.de)• Ruukki Oyj, Finland (www. ruukki.com)• ConstruirAcier, France (www.construiracier.fr)

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ECCSCECMEKS

European Convention for Constructional SteelworkConclusion

Steel bridges have a long history• Proven material• Economic solutions• Architecturally inspiring• Continuous development

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…………..and a bright future

Steel – An ideal material for bridge construction

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, UK

Pont des Arts, Paris, France