INTEGRAL BRIDGES: ATTRIBUTES AND LIMITATIONS

In some areas of the United States, integral bridges are now being used whenever application limits do not favor another type of structure. Integral bridges have numerous favorable attributes and few limitations. Because design provisions can be made for some of the limitations, only application limitations such as length, skew, and curvature should negate the use of integral bridges in favor of their jointed bridge counterparts. Design procedures and details used for the construction of single- and multiple-span integral bridges of continuous moderate length [91 m (300 ft)] are described, and the comparative attributes and limitations of integral and jointed bridges are elaborated on. The integral bridges discussed have shallow, stub-type abutments supported by embankments and piles. For integral bridges with multiple spans, piers are either flexible and attached to the superstructure or semirigid and self-supporting with movable bearings.