Design of an Innovative Road Bridge with Advanced Steel and Concrete

An example of innovative twin-girder bridge with high-limit-strength steels, hybrid girders and an ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) slab is presented in this paper. The design of the bridge is checked according to Eurocodes. A design with hybrid girders is now possible thanks to the use of these Eurocodes, because French design rules did not allow steel yielding, so hybrid girders have never been used in French bridges. The use of steel grades S460 and S690 allows a weight saving on the superstructure with positive repercussions on the piers and footings design, as well as a preservation of natural resources. The economical balance sheet shows a significant steel weight reduction of about 40%, and an overall superstructure weight reduction of about 25%.