Curved and skewed I-girder bridges generally exhibit significant torsional displacements of the individual girders and of the overall bridge cross-section. As a result, the girder webs can be plumb only in one configuration. If the structure is built such that the webs are plumb in the ideal no-load position, they generally cannot be plumb under the action of the structure's steel or total dead load. Currently, there is much confusion and divergence of opinion in the bridge industry regarding the stage at which steel I-girder webs should be ideally plumb and the consequences of out-of-plumbness at other stages. Furthermore, concerns are often raised about potential fit-up problems and/or corresponding locked-in stresses in the steel during erection as well as control of the final deck geometry (e.g., cross-slopes and joint alignment) in bridges with large skew and/or curvature.
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