WHY SOME BRIDGES ARE NOT IN STRAIGHT LINE ?

P.SURESH BABU .B.Tech.,

1 In some bridges of large length more than 500m. It is observed that the alignment of bridges is seen irregular
without following a straight line especially in Well foundations.
2 This wrong alignment is not noticed when you travel in a vehicle along the centre line of bridge, but can eaily
be identified with naked eye when you see the bridge from the edge of railing.
3 Inspite of presene of many engineers both from contractor side and Department side this mistake is observed
in some major bridges.
4 In case of Well foundations it may happen due to shift in wells.
5 Many times the contractor field engineers try to manipulate the shift in Well foundations not to exceed
150mm to avoid redesign of wells, the extra cost if any has to be borne by contractor from his pocket.

6 If this is not observed by department engineers, they simply show less shift within permisible limits.
7 Further if field staff are less experienced , the bar bender will erect reinforcement of Pier at the centre of
well, which is different from centre of Pier when the well has a shift as shown in enclosed sketch.
8 This wrong erection of reinforcement of Pier while fabricating Reinforcement of Well cap is enough to spoil
the straight alignment and can not be noticed until reinfircement of Super structure is placed.
9 At this stage as it is not possible to modify the alignment ,as it is visible and reduces width of cantilever in
case of T-Beam structure,the engineers sacrifice the alignment of straight line.
10
A sketch showing the actual alignment and the the distortion of straight alignment due to the error In placing
of reinforcement of Pier (at the centre of shifted well foundation)is shown in the enclosed drawing.
11 Even though it requires some time to understand the drawing, it is definitely useful and necessary to keep the
alignment of bridges in straight line particularly in case of Well foundations.
 TILT IN WELL FOUNDATION SHIFT IN WELL FOUNDATION

TILT ALONG X X AXIS : Lx/ DIA OF WELL TILT ALONG Y Y AXIS : Ly/ DIA OF WELL
RESULTANT TILT SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1 IN 90 AS PER MORTH INDEX

CENTRE OF WELL
CENTRE OF PIER
Y1
Y1

Ty
C/L OF ALIGNMENT

X1 0 X2

P4 P4 NO SHIFT IN WELL . P4 AND P4' ARE SAME HERE.

Ly

Y2
Y2 ALIGNMENT ALWAYS FIXED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE.
Y-Y Direction IRRESPECTIVE OF SHIFT IN WELLS .

X1
Tx P3 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN P3 AND P3' IS CALLED SHIFT.
Lx

X2 P3' P3 WELL WITH SHIFT. CENTRE OF PIER AND CENTRE OF WELL ARE DIFFERENT.
CENTRE OF WELL P3'

CENTRE OF PIER P3

P2 NO SHIFT IN WELL . P2 AND P2' ARE SAME HERE.

X-X Direction

P2

FIG No. 15 - Sketch Showing Tilts & Shifts of Well

CENTRE OF WELL P1'

CENTRE OF PIER P1 THE DISTANCE BETWEEN

THE DISTANCE
P1 ANDBETWEEN
P1' IS CALLED
P1 AND
SHIFT.
P1' IS CALLED SHIFT.

IMPORTANT NOTE P1 P1 P1'. WELL WITH SHIFT. CENTRE OF PIER AND CENTRE OF WELL ARE DIFFERENT.

(1) THE ALIGNMENT REMAINS SAME IRRESPECTIVE OF SHIFT OF WELL.

(2) THE CENTRE LINE SHALL BE FIXED BEFORE PLACING REINFORCEMENT OF PIER IN WELL CAP BEFORE LAYING CONCRETE FOR WELL CAP WITH
TRANVERSE REFERENCE PEDESTALS WITH UTMOST CARE.
THE PERMISSIBLE RESULTANT SHIFT IS 150mm. ALL THE WELLS ARE DESIGNED FOR THIS
ECCENTRIC LOAD FROM PIER AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.
(3) IF PROPER CARE IS NOT TAKEN AT THIS POINT OF TIME THE BAR BENDERS ERECT REINFORCEMENT OF PIER AT CENTRE OF WELL THUS
DEVIATING ALIGNMENT.
C/L OF ALIGNMENT

(4) IF NEGLECTED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CORRECT ALIGNMENT AFTER PIER REINFORCEMENT IS ERECTED.

(5) THE ALIGNMENT WILL BE FIXED ALONG BLUE LINE INSTEAD OF RED LINE BY BAR BENDERS LANDING YOU IN SEVERE TROUBLE OF
MISALIGNMENT MAKING THE LINE OF BRIDGE IRREGULAR.

(6) I TRIED MY BEST TO GIVE THE CONCEPT . I HAVE NO TOUCH WITH AUTO CAD. HENCE TRIED TO GIVE IN EXCEL TO THE BEST
OF MY KNOWLEDGE IN COMPUTERS. WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS.

(7) MISTAKES IF ANY NOTICED MAY BE INFORMED FOR CORRECTION.