Are Reinforced Concrete Girder Bridges More Economical Than Structural Steel Girder Bridges ? : A South African Perspective

Trevor Haas

doi:10.12816/0024940

Article Details

Are Reinforced Concrete Girder Bridges More Economical Than Structural Steel Girder Bridges ? : A South African Perspective

Authors:

Trevor Haas

Publisher:

Jordan University of Science and Technology : Deanship of Research

Main Topics:

Engineering and applied operations

Journal:

Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering 2014 Vol 8 Issue 1, pp.43-57

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

84912

Frequency:

Quarterly

eISSN:

2225157X

pISSN:

19930461

DOI:

10.12816/0024940

Descriptors:

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of steel girders compared with conventional reinforced concretegirders used in bridge construction in South Africa. The investigation considered an existing bridge whichrequired widening as a result of increased traffic flow. The consulting engineers chose two 10 m reinforcedconcrete girders for the end spans, while two 22 m post-tensioned reinforced concrete girders were used forthe central spans. To determine the cost-effectiveness of the consulting engineer’s choice, steel girders weredesigned for the 10 m and 22m beams based on the relevant South African design codes of practice. Theanalysis was conducted for both non-composite and composite action between the steel girders and thereinforced concrete bridge deck. Based on the design calculations, a cost comparison was performed. Theinvestigation revealed that steel girders are an economically viable option when off-the-shelf steel sections upto 10m in length are considered. For the 10 m girders, a significant cost saving was achieved for both noncompositeand composite construction compared with reinforced concrete. However, for the 22m spans, thepost-tensioned reinforced concrete girders are significantly more cost-effective compared with steel plategirders. Thus, bridge design engineers should consider steel girders as an option during the conceptual designstage for end spans. A survey was also conducted among senior engineering professionals to determine thereason(s) for the apathy towards using structural steel sections as girders in bridge construction in SouthAfrica.

Article Details

Are Reinforced Concrete Girder Bridges More Economical Than Structural Steel Girder Bridges ? : A South African Perspective

Authors:

Trevor Haas

Publisher:

Jordan University of Science and Technology : Deanship of Research

Main Topics:

Engineering and applied operations

Journal:

Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering 2014 Vol 8 Issue 1, pp.43-57

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

84912

Frequency:

Quarterly

eISSN:

2225157X

pISSN:

19930461

DOI:

10.12816/0024940

Descriptors:

BRIDGES

COMPOUND BRIDGES

GIRDER BRIDGES

STEEL

COST ANALYSIS

SOUTH AFRICA

Composite Bridges

Rc Girders

Steel Girders

South Africa

Cost Analysis

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Trevor Haas

Publisher: Jordan University of Science and Technology : Deanship of Research

Main Topics: Engineering and applied operations

Journal: Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering 2014 Vol 8 Issue 1, pp.43-57

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2014

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 84912

Frequency: Quarterly

eISSN: 2225157X

pISSN: 19930461

DOI: 10.12816/0024940

Descriptors:

Issues

Authors:

Trevor Haas

Publisher:

Jordan University of Science and Technology : Deanship of Research

Main Topics:

Engineering and applied operations

Journal:

Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering 2014 Vol 8 Issue 1, pp.43-57

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2014

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

84912

Frequency:

Quarterly

eISSN:

2225157X

pISSN:

19930461

DOI:

10.12816/0024940