DESIGN OF PLATE GIRDER BRIDGE

Design data:
Diameter of pipe, D =
3 m
Mean dia. Of pipe, Dm =
3.016 m
Thickness of pipe, t =
0.016 m
Unit weight of water =
1 T/m3
Unit weight of steel =
7.85 T/m3
c/c spacing of cross girder =
3.25 m
c/c spacing of main girder =
4.5 m
length of main girder =
20 m
length of support plate1 =
0.3 m
length of support plate2 =
1.615 m
Thickness of plate of 1 & 2 =
0.4 m
length of support plate 3 =
3.23 m
Thickness of plate 3 =
0.2 m
Width of plate 1,2 & 3 =
0.2 m
Yield stress of steel, fy =
250 N/mm2
Young's Modulus of Steel, E =
200000 N/mm2
Allowable bending stress in comp/tension ( 0.66 fy) =
Allowable shear stress (0.4 fy) =
100 N/mm2
Allowable bearing stress (0.75 fy) =
187.5 N/mm2
Unit weight of earth =
2.2 T/m3

each

165 N/mm2

DESIGN OF CROSS GIRDER

Calculation of loads:
Load distribution on cross girder:
The cross girders are spaced at every 3.25 m
3.25 m length of pipe, water and plate on both sides of cross girder + self wt.of cross girder for 4.5m
length is the load for which the cross girder is to be designed.
For 3.25 m length,
Weight of pipe =
3.87 T
Weight of water in pipe =
22.98 T
Weight of support plates 1 & 2 =
2.41 T
Weight of plate 3 =
1.01 T
Total weight =
30.27 T
This total load is converted as udl on 4.5 m span (as cross girder is inbetween two main girder)
udl, load/metre =
6.73 T/m
Assuming ISMB 500 @ 86.9 kg/m as cross girder.
Weight of cross girder =
0.0869 T/m
Total udl on cross girder =
6.81 T/m

Computation of Moment and Shear:

As the cross girders are connected to main girder by weld, the supports are considered as
fixed supports.
6.81 T/m

4.5 m

Moment at Fixed end AB = -wl2/12

Moment at Fixed end BA = +wl2/12
Moment due to udl = wl2/8
Moment at centre = wl2/24
FEM @ AB =
-11.50
FEM @ AB =
11.50
Moment due to udl =
17.25
Moment at centre =
5.75
Maximum moment =
Maximum shear =

Tm
Tm
Tm
Tm

11.50 Tm
15.33 T

115.0 KNm
153.3 KN

Computation of Section Modulus:

Section modulus , Z required =
Z required =

M / Bending stress
750000 mm3

750 cm3

As Z required (750 cm3) is lesser than the adopted Z (1808.7 cm 3), hence revise the
section as it is economical.
Revision:
Choosing from IS Steel handbook, section modulus nearing to 750 cm3, we can adopt ISMB 350 @ 52.4 kg/m
Self wt of beam =
0.0524 T/m
Total udl, w =
6.78 T/m
67.79 KN/m
6.78 T/m
FEM @ AB =
-11.44 Tm
FEM @ AB =
11.44 Tm
Moment due to udl =
17.16 Tm
A
4.5 m
Moment at centre =
5.72 Tm
Maximum moment =
Maximum shear =
Z required =

11.44 Tm
15.25 T
693333.5 mm3

114.4 KNm
152.5 KN
693.33 cm3

As Z required (693.33 cm3) is lesser than the adopted Z (750 cm 3), hence O.K

Properies of the ISMB 350 chosen section:

Zxx =
778900 mm3
Ixx =
136303000 mm4
Wt./m =
52.4 kg/m
Sec.area =
6671 cm2
Depth (D) =
350 mm
Flange, bf =
140 mm
Thick, tf =
14.2 mm
Thick, tw =
8.1 mm
Check for Shear:
Shear force= wL/2
15.25 T
152.53 KN
2
Shear stress = V/ D.tw
53.80 N/mm
As the calculated shear stress 53.80 N/mm 2 is less than 100 N/mm2. Hence O.K.
Check for Deflection:
Allowable deflection as per IS:800 for beams (As per Clause 3.13.1.2, Pg.34),
effective length / 325 = 4500/325 = 13.85 mm
Deflection for fixed beam with udl = 1/384 (wl4/EI)
Actual deflection in beams =

2.66 mm

Since the actual delection in beam (2.66 mm) is less than permissible def. (13.85 mm). Hence O.K.
Therefore we can provide Cross Beam of ISMB 350 @ 3.25 m C/C in between two Main Girders.

DESIGN OF WELDED PLATE GIRDER (MAIN)

Calculation of loads:
Load distribution on main girder:
The cross girder weight/metre multiplied by 4.5 m width gives the point load acting at each point of cross
girder on the main girder. This point load will act at all cross beam excepting end cross beams. Self
weight of main girder will act as a udl throughout the span of girder.
As the main girders are supported on abutments, the main beam is considered as a simply supported beam.
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
0.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25
20.0 m

Point loads P1 = P7
Point loads P2 = P3 = P4 = P5 = P6

3.25

3.25

weight of cross girder (udl) =

67.79 KN/m
weight of cross girder/m for 4.50m =
305.07 KN
This load (305.07 KN) is acting at P2=P3=P4=P5=P6
Weight for 3.25/2 m portion =
152.53 KN
Weight for 0.25 m portion,
Weight of pipe =
0.30 T
Weight of water =
1.77 T
Weight of plates 1 & 2 =
1.20 T
Weight of plate 3 =
0.51 T
weight of cross girder =
0.1179 T
Total =
3.89 T
udl load =
0.87 T/m
Weight for 0.25 m =
38.93 T
Laods at the ends of cross girder =
191.46 KN
This load (191.46 KN) is acting at P1=P7

191.46
0.25

3.25

305.07

305.07
3.25

305.07

3.25

305.07
3.25

305.07
3.25

C
20.0 m

RA
Assuming the self weight of main girder =
Total point load, W =
1908.26 KN
Self weight of girder =
95.41 KN
Self weight of girder/m =
4.77 KN/m

WL/400

(For welded plate girder)

Maximum shear force =

[(191.46x 2+305.07 x 5)/2 +(4.85*20)]/2

1001.84 KN
(Reaction at A & B)
Bending Moment will be maximum at centre of beam.
Taking moment at centre,
Moment @ C = RA x 20/2 -191.46 (3.25x3) - 305.07(3.25x2) - 305.07x 3.25 - 4.85 x 10 x 5
Moment @ C =
4938.67 KNm
Maximum Shear force=
Maximum Moment =

1001.84 KN
4938.67 KNm

Design of Web Plate:

Assuming thickness of web plate as 25 mm
tw =
25 mm
Economic depth of web plate, d =
1.1 x sq.rt (M / bending stress x thickness)
= 1.1 sq.rt (4938.67x1000000/165x25)
d = 1203.60937 mm
Therefore depth of plate =
1000 mm
Minimum thickness of plate required from shear consideration,
Taking allowable shear stress =
100 N/mm2

3.25

tw =
Shear force / shear stress x depth of web
tw required from shear =
10.02 mm
Since tw adopted (25 mm) is greater than 10.02 mm. O.K
Hence we can adopt 1000 mm x 25 mm as web plate for plate girder.

Design of Flange Plate:

Allowable bending stress= 0.66 x 250=
165 N/mm2
Approximate flange area required =
Moment / all.bending stress x depth of web
= 29931.3123 mm2
Assuming thickness of flange plate =
50 mm
Breadth of flange plate
= Area of flange/ thickness of plate
=
598.6
600 mm
Flange outstand shall not exceed 12 times the thickness of plate.
Actual oustand of flange = 600 - 25/2
287.5 mm which is less than 12 x 50 = 600 mm. O.K
Flange area provided by the plate =
30000 mm2
Since flange area provided is greater than flange area required by the plate. Hence O.K.
600 mm
50 mm thick flange plate (compression)
25 mm thick web plate
x

x 1000 mm

mm
mm

50 mm thick flange plate

(tension)

600 mm
Check for bending stress:

mm

2[600 (503)/12 + 600x50(1000/2 + 50/2 )2] + [25(1000)3/12]

Moment of Inertia about x-x axis =
=
1.863E+010 mm4
Actual bending stress =
145.77 N/mm2
Since atual bending stress is less than the allowable bending stress, hence safe.
Hence we can adopt 600 mm x 50 mm as flange plate for plate girder.
Welded Connection between flange and web:
Horizontal shear / mm =
V A Y / Ixx
A = 600 X 50
Y = (1000/2 + 50/2)
Horizontal shear / mm =
846.81 N/mm
Welding is done on both sides of the web
Horizontal shear / mm =
2 x strength of the weld
846.81 2 (0.7 x size of weld x 1 x 108)

solving, s = 846.81 / (2 x 0.7 x 108)

weld size,s=
5.60 mm
=
6 mm
Provide 6 mm fillet weld.
Length of fillet weld =
4 x size of weld or 40 mm whichever is more.
=
24 or 40 mm
whichever more
Therefore provide 40 mm long fillet welds.
Spacing of weld =
strength of weld on both faces of web / horizontal shear/mm
Spacing = 2x0.7x6x40x108/846.81
Spacing =
42.85 mm
say 40 mm
The clear spacing between the fillet weld should not be more than 12 times the thickness of
web plate for compression and 16 times the thickness of web plate for tension. In any case, the
clear spacing shall never exceed 200 mm
Maximum clear spacing = 12x25 = 300 mm or 200 mm, whichever is less.
Provide 40 mm as spacing of fillet weld.
Therefore provide 6 mm size fillet weld of 40 mm long at spacing of 40 mm c/c for weld
connection between flange and web plate.
Intermediate Stiffener:
Check for Vertical stiffener:
As per IS 800 - 1984, Cl. 6.7.3.1.a, Pg.81,
When the thickness of web adopted for the design is less than the thickness of web
as mentioned in Cl. 6.7.3.1. a, then the veritical stiffeners are to be provided.
tw adopted >d1 sq.rt (Tva cal)/816
1
d1sq.rt (fy) / 1344
2
d1 / 85
3
For welded connection, d1 =
1000 mm
Average shear stress =
V / dw x tw
Tva cal. =
40.07 N/mm2
tw from 1 =
7.76 mm
tw from 2 =
11.76 mm
tw from 3 =
11.76 mm
As the thickness adopted for web plate (25 mm) is greater than tw from 1,2 &3. Hence vertical
stiffeners are not required.
Check for Horizontal stiffener:
As per IS 800 - 1984, Cl. 6.7.3.1.b, Pg.82,
When the thickness of web adopted for the design is less than the thickness of web
as mentioned in Cl. 6.7.3.1.b, then the horizontal stiffeners are to be provided.
tw adopted >d2 sq.rt (fy) / 3200
1
d2/200
2
For welded connection , d2 = 500 x 2 = 1000 mm
d2 =
1000 mm
tw from 2 =
4.94 mm
tw from 3 =
5.00 mm
As the thickness adopted for web plate (25 mm) is greater than tw from 1&2. Hence horizontal
stiffeners are not required.
Hence vertical and horizontal stiffeners are not required for web portion of plate girder.

Bearing Stiffener:
Bearing stiffeners are used to transfer concentrated laods on the girder and heavy reactions at
supports to the full depth of the web. Bearing stiffener at the supports are called as end bearing
stiffeners.
ISMB 350, 8.1 mm thick, 100 mm long
tw = 25 mm
250

250

The bearing stiffeners are designed as columns with the length of web equals 20 times the
thickness of web from the centre line of bearing stiffener.
As the bearing stiffeners are provided at the ends and the cross girders are spaced at 250 mm
from the ends of the plate girder, the bearing stiffeners are provided exactly at the bottom of the
cross girder, adopting the thickness of cross girder as stiffener thickness. Oustand of stiffener
shall never exceed 12 t (12x8.1 = 97.2 mm) and hence 100 mm length on both sides of web is
taken as the bearing length on the stiffener.
Bearing area provided = 2 x 100 x 8.1 + 250 x 25 x 2 =
14120 mm2
Bearing area required =
Shear force / Bearing stress
= 1001.84 x1000 / 187.50
=
5343.14 mm2
Since bearing area provided is more than the bearing area required. Hence O.K.
Moment of Inertia of plate, Ixx =
2[8.1x1003 /12 + 8.1x100 (100/2+25/2 )2 ]
Ixx =
7678125 mm4
radius of gyration, r =
sq.root (Ixx / Area of bearing)
r=
23.32 mm

Le / r
Effective length, le =
0.7 x 1000=
700 mm

30.02 say, 30
For = 30 and fy = 250 N/mm2, permissible stress in axial compression from Table 5.1 of IS 800 - 1984,
ac =
145 N/mm2
ac =
Safe load, P =
P = 145 X 14120
P =
2047400 N
P=
2047 KN
As the safe load (2047 KN) on the bearing area is more than the shear force (1001.81 KN), hence O.K.
Connection between Bearing stiffener and web of plate girder:
(As for 350 mm depth, the cross girder takes care of the bearing , only for the remaining depth, the end
bearing stiffeners are to be provided).
Weld strength required = Shear force / 4 x 650
385.32 N/mm
Assuming 6 mm size fillet,
Strength of weld =
0.7 x 6 x 1 x 108
=
453.6 N/mm
As weld strength taken is more than the required strength of weld. Hence 6 mm size of weld is O.K.

The length of intermittent weld shall never exceed 10 times thickness of bearing plate or 200 mm
whichever is less.
length =
10 x 8.1
81 mm or 200
mm
Hence adopt 80 mm long fillet weld.
Center to centre spacing of weld =
80 x 453.6 / 385.32
=
94.1757076 say 90 mm
C/C spacing of weld shall not exceed 16 t or 300 mm, whichever is less
= 16 x 8.1= 129.6 mm or 300 mm, whichever is less.
Hence adopt the weld spacing as 90 mm
Therefore provide 6 mm size fillet weld 80 mm long at spacing 90 mm c/c for the weld connection
between bearing stiffener and web.

DESIGN OF ABUTMENT:
The Abutments are provided on both sides of Nala to support the main girders which rest on it for
the full width of pipe line provided. The length of the abutment wall is 27.5 m.
0.3
1 4
3

0.3
1.05

5
6.05
6.8

4.75
2

2.7

1.25

Heel

Toe

Design Data:
Length of Abutment =
length of portion 1 =
Thickness of portion 1 =
Height of portion 2 =
Width of portion 2 =
Height of portion 3 =
Width of portion 3 =
Height of portion 4 =
Thickness of portion 4 =
Height of portion 5 =

27.5
4.95
0.75
4.75
1
0.3
1.05
1
0.3
6.05

m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m

0.75
O

Length of portion 5 =
2.7 m
Unit weight of earth =
2.2 T/m3
Unit weight of concrete =
2.5 T/m3
Active earth pressure coefficient, Ka =
Total height of abutment, H =
Coefficient of friction, =
0.3

0.33
6.8 m

Load Calculation:
1. Total weight coming on main girder due to
pipe weight, water weight and cross girder =

191.46 x 2 + 305.07 x 5 =

2. Self weight of girder for the arrived dimension =

(0.6 x 0.050 x 2 + 1.0 x 0.025) x 20 x 78.50

3. End bearing Stiffeners at Supports =

0.1 x 0.0081 x 0.650 x 78.5 x 4=

Total load =

1908.26

0.17

2041.88 KN

This 2042 KN is shared half equally by both the abutments

Load transferred to one abutment =

2041.88/2

1020.94 KN

There are totally 7 main girders which rests on the Abutment.

Load carried by one abutment / metre length =

1020.94 x 7 / 27.50 =
=

259.9 KN / m
260 KN/m

Earth Pressure:

6m
Ka r H
Lateral (Horizontal) earth pressure =

1/2 x Ka x r x H x H
= 16.9546667 T/m
=
169.55 KN/m

Weight of earth on heel slab:

Portion 5 weight =
(6.4 x 2.3 x 1 x 2.2) =

35.937 T/m
359.37 KN/m

Forces and Moments about base of Moment

Sl.No.

Description

Load on the abutment

Active earth pressure

Self weight of part 1

Forces (KN)
V
H
260.00
92.8125

Lever arm Moment about toe O (KNm)

(m)
Mv
1.6
416.00

169.5467

2.27

2.475

229.71

Self weight of part 2

118.75

1.75

207.8125

Self weight of part 3

7.875

1.725

13.58

Self weight of part 4

7.5

2.1

15.75

Weight of earth on heel of part 5

359.37

3.6

1293.73

Total

846.31

169.55

2176.59

Check for Stability :

1. Overturning :
Overturning moment about toe, O =
Restoring moment about toe, O =
Factor of safety against overturning =

384.31 KNm(caused by Horizontaal earth pressure)

2176.59 KNm (caused by total weight acting downwards )
Restoring moment / Overturning moment
5.66 > 2.00
Safe

2. Sliding:
Force causing sliding =
169.55 KNm
W
Force resisting sliding =
W=
846.31
253.89225
Factor of safety =
1.50 > or = 1.5

Safe

3. Bearing Pressure:
Location of resultant from 0
Xo =
Mv - Mh / V
eccentricity of resultant, e =
eccentricity, e =

2.12 m
B/2 - Xo
0.36 m < 0.83 m Safe

max =

V/ B x 1 (1+6 e/B)
=
245.003 < 250 KN/m2. No tension, Safe.

min =

V/ B x 1 (1-6 e/B)
=
96.939 KN/m2.

No tension, Safe.

350 @ 52.4 kg/m

pported beam.
P7
0.25

191.46
0.25
RB

KN
133.45 KN
KN

oment about toe O (KNm)

MH
384.306
-

384.31