DESIGN OF STEEL TRUSS BRIDGE

Design scenario:

Due to the logistic needs for one of the residential areas in the city, the state department of transportation announced a notice to bidders for the construction of a bridge to carry a centered highway across a valley (see figure 1 for the site configuration). In this notice, the state department of transportation highlighted the following:

• The designed bridge should be able to carry its own weight (to include the weight of the reinforced concrete deck), plus the weight of a truck loading equivalent to 350kN.

• The state department will only consider designs with a total cost less than 480,000 $. The design cost should include the cost of material, connection, product, and site.

• The designed bridge should be a standard abutment bridge

• One cable anchorage is allowed.

• A medium-strength concrete should be used for the bridge deck.

The aim of this project is to:

• Analyze and design trusses and frames manually and using engineering software

• Apply the basic concepts of mechanics to find solution of practical problems

• Develop a systematic approach to problem-solving skills

• Construct free-body diagrams

• Basic definitions of stress stain, Stress due to axial loading

• Work in diverse teams