Concrete Hinges and Integral Bridge Piers

Abstract

Concrete hinges are a robust structural concept attributed to Eugène Freyssinet and further developed by Fritz Leonhardt and others. Leonhardt and coworkers also developed simple analysis models that are still used today. Recently, concrete hinges have seen a renewed interest in research and practical applications in various bridges. This is mainly because of advanced concrete technology available and the drive towards more durable and hence sustainable structures by building without bearings. In this context, this paper investigates possible applications of concrete hinges in integral bridge piers. A computational model is introduced with consideration of various limit states for the design of concrete hinges. A comparison is made between standard integral piers and those with concrete hinges. Example computations are presented to show the calculation procedure to design a concrete hinge for an integral bridge.