Integral bridges: Examples from quarter century experience

摘要

Traditionally, masonry bridges have always been an integral form of construction—free of joints. However, introduction of structural steel in combination with masonry piers lead to introduction of joints with bearings for accommodating thermal movements. This trend somehow continued for reinforced concrete bridges with simply supported spans supported on bearings and each span separated by expansion joints. There has been considerable innovation in the type of bearings and expansion joints. However, the expansion joints still present a major problem for maintenance and replacement. The benefits of adoption of monolithic construction without joints is presented in this paper and the experience gained in the design and construction of integral form of bridge is described. All these bridges have shown good performance.