Robust Concrete Bridges without Bearings and Joints

Approximately the same amount of money spent on constructing a bridge is required to maintain it during its lifetime. It is common practice today to use moveable bearings and joints in bridges to respond to the displacements resulting from temperature, settlement, shrinkage, etc. With a design process focused on minimizing constraint stresses, monolithic bridges are feasible today. Such bridges offer increased robustness compared to conventional designs with bearing and joints, and offer a multitude of approaches for improved design and aesthetics. Design criteria for a more robust type of bridge, without bearings and joints, are the focus of this paper.