Author(s)

A. N. Fontán, S. Hernández & F. J. Tsao

Abstract

A computer code aimed to produce optimum design of prestressed concrete launched bridges during construction phase is presented in this paper. The software provides the least cost design for a prestressed concrete bridge constructed by incrementally launching procedures, searching simultaneously for the optimum cross-section dimensions and the prestressing forces of the concrete deck, as well as the most adequate characteristics of the launching nose. The code incorporates the complete set of constraints considered in the Spanish code of practice for this type of structure. The software features an advanced graphical interface to provide a user friendly communication. This graphical environment allows managing multiple projects simultaneously. The benefit of considering the numerical optimization instead of design rules, established by well known bridge designers that can be found in the literature, has been demonstrated by authors in previous publications. In this paper an application example is presented to make clear the capabilities of the code. Keywords: structural optimization, structural design, incrementally launched bridges, concrete bridges, launching nose. 1 Introduction The Incrementally Launching Method (ILM) is a common construction procedure for medium span prestressed concrete bridges that consist of building a deck by segments on the ground and advancing the already-built deck portion periodically over the piers until reaching its final position in a similar way to an extrusion [1–4].

Keywords

structural optimization, structural design, incrementally launched bridges, concrete bridges, launching nose.