I.

DESIGN DATA
A. BRIDGE SITE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

Drawn to scale of 1:500 to 1:1000 depending on the width of the river

The topographic map should be extended at least 200m upstream and

downstream from the centerline of the proposed bridge

Location plan showing the existing public and private structures/ utilities
that maybe affected by the project.

Cross-section at the approaches at 20m interval

B. PROFILE ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF THE PROPOSED BRIDGE

Showing the elevations of ordinary water level (OWL) and maximum flood
level (MFL)

C. RIVER CROSS-SECTIONS

@ 50m interval 100 to 200 meters upstream and downstream from the
proposed bridge indicating the experienced high and ordinary water
elevations.

D. HYDRAULIS / HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS

Topographic map showing the watershed area and the point of interest
Calculation of required waterway opening
Scour Analysis
Calculation of Design Flood Level
E. BORING DATA WITH SPT and GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
Minimum of two deep borings shall be made at each abutment and
preferably an additional boring at each pier for multi-span bridges.
Boreholes shall have minimum depth of 20 meters below the riverbed in
ordinary soil or at least 3.0m in bedrock.
Standard Penetration Test at maximum interval of 1.50 m and at every
change in soil stratum.
Analysis for liquefaction potential.
The subsurface exploration should define the following, where
applicable:
Soil Strata

Depth, thickness and variability

Identification and classification
Relevant engineering properties (i.e., shear strength, unit weight,
compressibility, stiffness, permeability, expansion or collapse potential)
N-values

Rock Strata

Depth of rock
Identification and classification
Quality (i.e., soundness, hardness, jointing, resistance to weathering if
exposed, and solution)
Compressive strength (eg., uniaxial compression, point load index)
Expansion potential

Ground water elevation

II. DESIGN CRITERIA & STANDARDS

A. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17 th Edition, 2002

Department Order No. 75, Series of 1992, re: DPWH Advisory for Seismic
Design of Bridges.

DPWH Design Guidelines, Criteria and Standards, Volumes 1 & 2

(currently being updated)

DPWH Standard Specifications, Vol. II, Highways, Bridges & Airports, 2004
ed.

B. LOADING SPECIFICATIONS
1. DEAD LOAD

Selfweight plus allowance for future superimposed dead loads such as

wearing surface and weight of public utilities.

2. LIVE LOAD
Six Classes of Highway Loadings :
(Standard Designations)

New AASHTO designations

M 13.5
M 18
M22.5
MS 13.5
MS 18
MS 22.5

Equivalent Old AASHTO

Designations
H 15-44
H 20-44
HS 15-44
HS 20-44

W = the combined weight of the first two axles

V = variable length 4.27 ~ 9.15 m. Spacing to be
used is that which produces max. stresses.

3.

IMPACT

Impact , I = 15.24 / ( L + 38)

where : I = impact fraction (maximum of 30%)
L = span length in meters

4. SIDEWALK LOADING
For spans up to 7.92 m .4070 Pa
For spans 7.92 to 30.5 m...2870 Pa
For spans > 30.5 m ..p = [ 1435 + 43800 / L ] [ (1.67 - W) /
15.2 ] Pa
Where: L = span length, m
5.

W = sidewalk width, m

WIND LOAD

Superstructure Design

a. For trusses and arches :

3.59 kPa
b. For girders and beams :
2.39 kPa
Based on 160 km per hour wind velocity.
Substructure Design
a. Force transmitted to the substructure by the superstructure plus the
forces applied directly to the substructure by wind load :
WL

SUBSTRUCTURE

= 1.92 kPa ( 40 psf )

6. THERMAL FORCE
a. Provisions shall be made for stresses or movements resulting from
variation in temp.
b. Under local condition the range of temperature rise and fall could be
taken as : + 12.5 oC

II. DESIGN CRITERIA & STANDARDS

A. VERTICAL CLEARANCES
1. Navigable river
a. At least 3.75 meters from the design flood level (DFL)
2. Hydraulic
a. At least 1.50 meters for streams carrying debris
b. At least 1.00 meters for others
3. Highway/Underpass/Tunnel
a. At least 4.88 meters
B.

GEOMETRICS

1. Bridge Alignment
a. Normal bridge A transverse structure perpendicular to the bank of the
river or creek.
b. Skew bridge A transverse structure having an angle of less than 90 0
from the bank of the river creek.
c. Curved bridge When the structure or portion of the structure is within
and following the horizontal curve alignment of the road.
2. Span Arrangement
a. Odd number of spans shall be preferably used to avoid a pier at the
center of river or creek.
3.

Determination of Bridge Length (see Fig. 3-1)

a. Sketch the proposed slopes of the grouted riprap following the slope of
the banks as close as possible (1:1 for cut, 1-1/2:1 for fill).
b. Determine the top of roadway elevation based on the maximum flood
water level, freeboard and depth of girders.
c. The intersections of the slopes of grouted riprap and the top of the
roadway elevation represent the length of bridge required.

Fig 3-1

4.

Recommended Minimum Lane Width and Number of Girders

NUMBER OF GIRDERS IN
RELATION TO NUMBER OF
LANES

C. TYPES / CLASSIFICATION OF BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURES

1. According to Materials Used
a.
b.

c.

Timber Bridge
Concrete Bridge

Reinforced Concrete
Prestressed Concrete

Steel Bridge
Steel Plate Girder
Steel I-Beam
Steel Truss
Steel Box Girder
2. According to Usage
a. Temporary a bridge designed for a short life span
b. Permanent a bridge with a designed life span of at least fifty (50)
years before it is completely replaced

3.

According to System of Design

a. Simple Spans
b. Continuous Spans
c. Cantilever Span
d. Suspension Bridge
e. Cabled Stayed
4. Recommended Limits of Span of Different Superstructure in the
Philippines
a. Timber Trestle Bridge For span not more than 6.00 meters
b. Concrete Bridge

Reinforced Concrete Precast Slab or Reinforced Flat Slab - span from

6.00m to 12.00m.
Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG) span from 8.00m to
24.00m.
Reinforced Concrete Box Girder span from 22.00m to 30.00m.
Reinforced Concrete Hollow Slab Bridge span from 10.0m to
20.0m.
c. Prestressed Concrete Bridge

Channel Beams span from 11.00m to

14.0m.
Tee Beams span from 15.00m to
18.00m.
I-Beams span from 15.00m to 45.00m.
Box Girders span over 30.00m

d. Steel Bridges

Steel I-Beam span from 15.00 to 30.00m.

Steel Plate Girder span from 20.00m to 50.00m.
Steel Box Girder span from 30.0m to 100m.
Bailey Bridge span from 9.00m. to 30.00m.
Steel Truss span from 40.00m to130.00m.

e. Suspension Bridge span from 70.00m and over.

f. Cable Stayed Bridge For span from 70.00m and over.