Modeling of Bridges (1) (2025 2026)

This handout is intended for first-year Master's students in Public Works (Roads and civil engineering structure). It deals with the design of bridges. It is the result of seven (7) years of teaching the bridge module at Ibn Khaldoun University in TIARET. It presents the design of beam bridge decks.

The choice of this type of structure is based on two criteria: 

·      In most cases, this structure has independent spans. Its calculation is not "very complicated" compared to that of continuous structures. In practice, its analysis is done manually. Whereas for other types of structures (slab bridges, frames, etc.), automatic calculation using finite element software, such as Robot, SAP, and Effel, is used.

·      Thanks to the study of this type of bridge, different types of structures such as slab bridges and frames can be analyzed. The influence lines may change for these statically indeterminate cases, but the Courbon and Guyon-Massonnet methods remain valid.

This handout begins with an introductory chapter reviewing the different types of bridges, their constituent elements, and their classifications. The second chapter presents the theory of influence lines, which will be used for the calculation of main girders and crossbeams. Then, Chapter Three details the calculation of non-deformable decks, i.e., beams with infinitely rigid crossbeams, and the analysis of main girders in the longitudinal direction using the Courbon method. Chapter Four details the calculation of internal forces in the main girders in the longitudinal direction, including the calculation of transverse distribution using the Guyon-Massonnet method, and includes an appendix of Guyon-Massonnet tables. The details of reinforcement calculation are not covered here, as the beams are designed for simple bending, a topic covered in the reinforced concrete course.


Dimensioning of Bridges 1 (2025/2026)

A brief description: This handout presents the design of beam bridge decks.

The choice of this type of structure is based on two criteria:

1) In most cases, this structure has independent spans. Its calculation is not "very complicated" compared to that of continuous structures. In practice, its analysis is done manually. Whereas for other types of structures (slab bridges, frames, etc.), automatic calculation using finite element software, such as Robot, SAP, and Effel, is used.

2) Thanks to the study of this type of bridge, different types of structures such as slab bridges and frames can be analyzed. The influence lines may change for these statically indeterminate cases, but the Courbon and Guyon-Massonnet methods remain valid.

The target audience: This handout is intended for first-year Master's students in Public Works (Roads and civil engineering structure) Master 1 VOA

General objectives: This handout begins with an introductory chapter reviewing the different types of bridges, their constituent elements, and their classifications. The second chapter presents the theory of influence lines, which will be used for the calculation of main girders and crossbeams. Then, Chapter Three details the calculation of non-deformable decks, i.e., beams with infinitely rigid crossbeams, and the analysis of main girders in the longitudinal direction using the Courbon method. Chapter Four details the calculation of internal forces in the main girders in the longitudinal direction, including the calculation of transverse distribution using the Guyon-Massonnet method, and includes an appendix of Guyon-Massonnet tables. The details of reinforcement calculation are not covered here, as the beams are designed for simple bending, a topic covered in the reinforced concrete course.