INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN, REINFORCED

AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FOR GENERAL BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

(CONCRETE BRIDGE CODE)
where erection is being considered
temporary erection loads.
11. LOADS, LOAD COMBINATIONS
AND PARTIAL LOAD FACTORS
11.2.1.4 Combinations 4 The load to
11.1 Loads The values of loads as
given in IRS Bridge rules shall be taken
as characteristic loads for the purpose
of this code.
11.1.1 For design of concrete bridges of
span 30m and larger, an appropriate
temperature
gradient
shall
be
considered. In the absence of any data
in this regard, depending on the
environmental conditions, a linear
gradient of temperature of 50C to 100C
between the top and bottom fibres may
be considered for design.
The effect of difference in temperature
between outside and inside of box
girders shall also be considered in
design.
11.1.2 Creep and shrinkage of concrete
and prestress (including secondary
effects in statically in determinate
structures) are load effects associated
with the nature of structural material
being used; where they occur, they shall
be regarded as permanent loads.
11.2

Combinations of Loads

11.2.1 Combinations of loads

Following five combinations of loads are
considered.
11.2.1.1 Combinations 1 The
permanent loads i.e. dead load,
superimposed loads etc. together with
the appropriate live loads.
11.2.1.2 Combinations 2 The load to
be considered are the loads in
combination 1, together with those due
to wind/earthquake, and where erection
is being considered temporary erection
loads.
11.2.1.3 Combinations 3 The load to
be considered are the loads in
combination 1, together with those
arising from restraint due to the effect of
temperature range and difference and

be considered are the permanent loads,

together with the loads due to friction at
bearings.
11.2.1.5 Combinations 5- Dead load,
superimposed dead load, together with
derailment loads.
11.3 Partial Load Factors The factors
by which the design loads are obtained
from the characteristic loads are
specified in 11.3.1.
11.3.1 Design loads, Q* are the loads
obtained
by
multiplying
the
characteristics load, Qk by Yfl the partial
safety factor for loads which takes into
account the following: 1. Possible unfavourable deviations
of
the
loads
from
their
characteristic values.
2. Inaccurate assessment of the
loading,
unforeseen
stress
distribution in the structure and
variation
in
dimensional
accuracy
achieved
in
construction.
3. Reduced probability that various
loads acting together will all
attain their characteristic values
simultaneously.
The values of the function Yfl for the
various loads are given in Table 12.
11.3.2 Serviceability Limit State For
the limitations given in 10.2.1. load
combination only shall be considered.
For the stress limitations given in 10.2.2,
load combinations 1 to 5 shall be
considered.
The value of YfL. for creep and
shrinkage of concrete and prestress
(including secondary effects in statically
indeterminate structures) shall be taken
as 1.0.
11.3.3 Ultimate Limit State To check

INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN, REINFORCED

AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FOR GENERAL BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
(CONCRETE BRIDGE CODE)
the provisions of 10.3 load combinations
1 to 4 shall be considered.
The value of YfL for the effects of
shrinkage and, where relevant, of creep
shall be taken as 1.2.
In calculating the resistance of members
to vertical shear and torsion YfL for the
prestressing force shall be taken as
1.15 where it adversely affects the
resistance and 0.87 in other cases. In
calculating
secondary
effects
in
statically indeterminate structures YfL for
prestressing force may be taken as 1.0.
11.3.4 Deflection Minimum specified
clearances shall be maintained under
the action of load combination 1.

The appearance and drainage

characteristics of the structure shall
be considered under the action of
permanent loads only.
11.3.4.1 The values of YfL for the
individual loads shall be those
appropriate to the serviceability limit
state.

INDIAN RAILWAY STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PLAIN, REINFORCED

AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FOR GENERAL BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
(CONCRETE BRIDGE CODE)
TABLE 12
LOADS TO BE TAKEN IN EACH COMBINATION WITH APPROPRIATE YfL
(Clauses 11.2 and 11.3)
LOAD
LIMIT
YfL TO BE CONSIDERED IN
STATE
COMBINATION
1
2
3
4
5
Dead weight of concrete
ULS
1.40
1.40 1.40 1.40
SLS
1.00
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Superimposed dead load
ULS
2.00
2.00 2.00 2.00
SLS*
1.20
1.20 1.20 1.20 1.00
Wind
During erection
ULS
1.25
SLS
1.00
with dead and superimposed
dead loads only and for
ULS
1.60
members primarily resisting
SLS
1.00
wind loads.
With dead plus superimposed
ULS
1.25
dead plus other appropriate
SLS
1.00
combination 2 loads.
Relieving effect of wind
ULS
1.00
SLS
1.00
Earth With dead and superimposed
ULS
1.60
quake dead loads only
SLS
1.00
With dead plus superimposed
ULS
1.25
dead plus other appropriate
SLS
1.00
combination 2 loads.
Tempe Restraint against movement
ULS
1.50
rature except frictional
SLS
1.00
Frictional restraint
ULS
1.50
SLS
1.00
Differential temperature effect
ULS
1.15
SLS
0.80
Differential settlement
ULS
As specified by engineer
SLS
Fill retained and or live
ULS
1.70
1.70 1.70 1.70
Earth
load surcharge
SLS
1.00
1.00 1.00 1.00
Pressure
relieving effect
ULS
1.00
1.00 1.00 1.00 Erection temporary loads (when being
considered)
Live load on foot path
Live load
Derailment loads

ULS
ULS
SLS
ULS
SLS
SLS

1.30

1.30

1.50
1.25 1.25
1.00
1.00 1.00
2.00
1.75 1.75
1.10
1.00 1.00
(As specified by bridge rules for
combination 5 only)

NOTE 1-ULS : Ultimate limit state

SLS : serviceability limit state
NOTE 2-Wind and earth quake loads shall not be assumed to be acting simultaneously.
NOTE 3- Live load shall also include dynamic effect, forces due to curvature exerted on
forces, braking forces and forces on parapets

track, longitudinal