Arch bridges - Computational Analysis and Design of Bridge Structures - page 269

(c)
(d)
Figure 9.3 (Continued) Types of arch bridges. (c) Through arch bridge. (Pentele Bridge,
Hungary, Courtesy of SkyscraperCity.com.) (d) Multispan deck arch bridge.
(Paso de los Toros Bridge, Uruguay, Courtesy of Taringa.net.)
(2) stiffened arch with stiffened tie, and (3) flexible arch with stiffened tie. As
local moments due to live loads are inevitable, a flexible tie girder will dis-
tribute more live loads to arch and the arch requires a higher bending stiff-
ness to resist moments; a stiffened tie girder will distribute less live loads to
arch and the arch does not need a higher bending stiffness. Stiffnesses of the
arch and the tie girder are dependent on each other; it is possible to optimize
the size of each according to the goal established for aesthetics and/or cost.
Multispan arch bridges are also commonly used. Compared to a single-span
arch bridge, a multispan arch bridge balances horizontal thrusts due to dead loads
at interior piers. Figure 9.3d shows an example of multispan deck arch bridge.