Segmental bridges are concrete bridges built in small sections, either on-site or precast elsewhere. They are connected with epoxy resin and a steel support system. They are ideal for building bridges over areas where it is difficult to transport large sections of concrete. The construction crew erects support towers first, followed by the superstructure. Segmental bridges originated in Europe and are cost-effective and time-saving. Well-known segmental bridges include the Seven Mile Bridge, the Manwel Dimech Bridge, and the Four Bears Bridge.
A segmental bridge is usually a concrete bridge that is pieced together in small sections. The concrete can be poured at the point where the bridge is being built or precast elsewhere and brought in. When completed, such a bridge typically appears to have numerous dividing lines on which these sections are connected to each other. These are often connected with epoxy resin and a steel support system.
A major benefit of segmental bridge design is that it can help builders more easily build bridges over areas where it is difficult to transport large sections of concrete. This can include deep valleys, wide streams and heavily traveled highways. Building a segmented bridge, as opposed to a traditional one, can also limit the amount of inconvenience to the environment and to users’ daily commute.
To build a segmental bridge, the construction crew usually erects the support towers first. These towers will support the weight of both the bridge itself and the traffic passing through it. The crew generally builds these towers from the ground up under the bridge, layering concrete to reach the bottom of the actual overpass.
Once the towers are in place, the crew normally starts work on the superstructure, which is a kind of frame that sits atop each tower. This will maintain the bridge, or span, of the bridge. For cast-in-place bridges, the construction crew usually installs the steel frame and supports before pouring the concrete for the span. For prefabricated bridges, workers can build the steel frame piece by piece as they attach each segment, like a jigsaw puzzle.
Segmental bridges are a relatively new invention. The idea for this design originated in Europe. The world’s first segmental bridge was built in Baluinstein, Germany in 1950 to cross the River Lahn. It was launched in place. The first prefabricated bridge was built over the Seine in France in 1962.
It took another decade for the segmental bridge to arrive in the United States. The first built in the United States was the Corpus Christi Bridge in Texas. It was built in 1973 using precast concrete beams. The first US cast-in-place bridge was built in San Diego in 1974.
Other well-known segmental bridges are the Seven Mile Bridge, located in the Florida Keys; The Manwel Dimech Bridge in Malta; and the Four Bears Bridge in North Dakota. This type of bridge continues to be popular. Segmental design can be cost effective and can save time and money.
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