Design and construction of modern concrete bridges

The paper presents the author’s philosophy for the design of concrete structures with particular reference to the diverse number of bridges that he has designed and supervised during construction, over the past several decades. He believes that every project is unique in that it presents its own guidelines for the design to follow. An holistic approach, that also takes into account the construction methodology, is necessary to produce an adequate response to these specific requirements. Concrete is a mouldable material most suited to express the ideas of form that is true to its function, both economically and efficiently. The paper is presented as a series of case studies of projects designed by the author, including the two bridges which received the IABSE British Group, Milne Medal Award 2003; Wadi Leban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia completed in 1999 and Wadi Abdoun Bridge in Amman, Jordan which is under construction and due for completion in 2006.

Seshadri Srinivasan, MSc(Eng), FREng, FNAE, FIStructE, FICE, CEng
Director, Head of Bridges and Special Structures with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (UK) Ltd