A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of a

Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in

Incrementally Launched Bridges

R. Benad 1
1
Aurecon Group

Abstract With the rapid growth in demand for transportation capacity in urban
areas as well as on main connecting routes, the need to minimize disruption of
existing services during bridge construction is ever increasing. The incremental
launching of bridges is a key construction method to achieve minimal disruption
to existing services. Incrementally launched bridges, however, have a unique set
of challenges that must be addressed as part of the design, one of which is the
geometry of the launch path. In order to launch a bridge the launch path generally
has to be either a straight line or an exact circular path through space. In very rare
cases have incremental launching been done even though the launch path was not
limited to one of the above shapes [1]. This paper is mainly concerned with
presenting a practical method for the determination of circular curves in space for
use in the design of incrementally launched bridges. The setting out coordinates of
the piers, the casting yard, launching bearings and fixed bearings are all functions
of the launch path. Another aspect directly affected by the launch path is the
superelevation of the travelling surface due to the natural variation occurring on
the inclined plane. Among others, the method as described in the paper was
successfully applied in the design and construction of a 240.385m long
incrementally launched bridge in Gauteng, South Africa. [2][3]

V. Ponnampalam, H. Madrio and E. Ancich 155

Sustainable Bridges: The Thread of Society
AP-G90/11_003 ABC 2011
156 R. Benad

Introduction

Aurecon was awarded the contract for a 10km section of road as part of the
Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project in South Africa. This section of the N1
national road includes the Brakfontein Interchange, nicknamed the Flying Saucer
Interchange. The existing interchange was upgraded to include a new 80km/h
directional ramp to replace the existing 40km/h loop ramp. Since the new bridge
had to be constructed over eight existing carriageways, without disruption to
traffic, the incremental launching construction method was utilised. Bridge
B0041, as can be seen in Figure 1 below, forms a major component of the new
ramp.

The geometric design of this bridge involved a launch path which was curved in
both elevation and plan. This double-inclined nature of the circular arc added
complexity to the calculation of the launch path and setting out information. In
order to achieve the high tolerance requirements of 1mm, a practical method for
calculating the setting out coordinates for the bridge deck was required. The
adopted method is the subject matter of this paper.

The intention is to transform the problem from three-dimensional space to two-

dimensional space in order to allow the use of standard trigonometry. Essentially
the desired points on the launch path can be calculated on a plane and thereafter
transformed back to three-dimensional global space.

A paper titled The Geometric Design Of Curved Incrementally Launched

Prestressed Concrete Bridges by Joseph Canceri was presented at the 6th
AustRoads Bridge Conference [4]. The reader is referred to this paper as it
provides valuable information on the topic. The information offered can be used
in conjunction with the method given here.

Geometric Features of Incrementally Launched Bridges with a

Double-Inclined Circular Curve

There are a number of special considerations to address during the geometric

design of double-inclined incrementally launched structures.
A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 157

Fig. 1. Bridge B0041 During and After Construction.

Circle in space

As noted before, the launch path for this type of incrementally launched bridge is
a perfect circle in space as illustrated in Figure 2. This results in the horizontal
and vertical projections of the launch path being elliptical. This is contradictory to
the normal geometrical design principles for road design.

The abutments, piers and any temporary supports must be set out on the projected
elliptical arc. Discrete setting out coordinates for these elements can be calculated
using the methodology presented.
158 R. Benad

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Fig. 2. Schematic of Bridge Deck in Space.

Superelevation

The superelevation of the road supported by the structure will be affected by the
natural occurring superelevation variation inherent in the path. This variance is
caused as the launch path moves along a circular arc on an inclined plane.

To illustrate this concept, imagine that the page containing Figure 3 is the plane
containing the launch path. Three arrows are shown representing the
superelevation at various points along a path. As the plane, or the page, is held in
various inclinations it becomes evident that the slopes of the arrows at different
positions have differing values.
A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 159






Fig. 3. Schematic of circular disc plan for superelevation illustration.

The bridge surface itself can accommodate the varying superelevation in a number
of ways across the length of the structure:
The thickness of the deck slab could be varied;
The thickness of the asphaltic road surfacing layer could be varied; or
The deck can be designed with a constant cross-section while keeping the
superelevation within acceptable limits.

For bridge B0041, the preferred solution was to keep the deck and road surfacing
thicknesses constant. This was possible since the minimum and maximum
superelevation values remained within acceptable road design limits.

Deck cross section

Typically in bridge designs, deck sections are vertical. However, an incrementally

launched bridges deck cross-section is perpendicular to the launch path over the
entire length of the structure. The launch path is typically chosen to correspond to
either the top or bottom central point of the deck cross section.

Figure 4 portrays a model of an incrementally launched bridges deck in space.

The surfaces on the deck are conical in shape. A constant section, swept
perpendicular to a circular arc, produced the model.
160 R. Benad

Fig. 4. Model of an Incrementally Launched Bridge Deck in Space.

Methodology

The methodology followed for the calculation of the launch path coordinates can
be summarized in eight main steps. The eight steps are depicted in Figure 5 and
are elaborated on in the remainder of the paper.

Notation Convention

= Coordinate point with x, y and z

components.

= The x-component of point .

= Direction vector with x, y and z

components.

= The x-component of vector .

= Matrix
A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 161

Fig. 5.Flowchart of Methodology.

Step 1: Choose three starting points: , and

Three initial points must be chosen by the designer through which the launch path
is desired to pass. This is schematically represented in Figure 6. Typical choices
for the points may include the start and end of the incrementally launched bridge,
together with a third central point to control the clearance, or other constraint.
These initial points should be chosen in the global coordinate system used for the
design and construction of the structure.
162 R. Benad


 

 
 

Fig. 6. Illustration of the three initial points defining the launch path.

An important consideration is that the launch path should be as close to tangential

to the approaching road as possible. A procedure for choosing an initial point to
represent is to first assign circular curves to the horizontal and vertical
alignments respectively. Selecting point using this temporary arrangement
will generally result in a satisfactory launch path. If the launch path is not
adequately tangential point can be adjusted as required.

Step 2: Define a plane through points , and

A geometric plane must be found on which all three initial points are coplanar. A
general method to set up the required equation is provided here.

Set up to be a vector from point to point and a second vector from

point to point . Thereafter, calculate the cross product of and . The
resulting vector, , is normal to the required plane [5]. See Figure 7, below.

Substituting as shown in equation 1, yields the desired geometric plane, which will
contain the circular arc of the launch path.

Plane equation:

Where,
(1)
A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 163

Fig. 7. Defining of a plane containing the launch path.

Step 3: Define a local coordinate system for the launch path.

A local coordinate system must be defined in order to represent the launch path on
the two-dimensional plane. The local coordinate system is chosen such that its xy-
axis is coplanar to the geometric plane calculated in the preceding step. This will
allow the launch path to be viewed as a two-dimensional circle in the local
coordinate system. A typical choice might be as presented next.

The Normal vector, , will be used for the direction of the z-axis for the local
coordinate system. Choose the direction of the x-axis to extend from to ,
with being the origin. Thereafter, the y-axis direction can be calculated by
taking the cross product of the z- and x-axis direction vectors [5].

The symbols used for the local x, y and z-axis direction vectors are respectively,
, and . The local coordinate system relative to the launch path can be
viewed in Figure 8.
164 R. Benad

Fig. 8.The local coordinate system relative to the launch plane.

Step 4: Calculate the Euler angles between the global and local
coordinate systems.

The rotation of the local coordinate system relative to the global coordinate system
can be represented by using three angles according to Eulers rotation theorem [6].
See Figure 9 for a depiction of the Euler angles.

Fig. 9. Schematic of Eulers Angles

A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 165

The Euler Angles can be computed using the following formulas in equation 2.
The convention used is called the z-x-z convention. The name of the convention
refers to the order in which the rotations are performed [8].

(2)

In equation 2, the function is a two argument variant of the arctangent

function which takes the quadrant of operation into consideration [7]. It can be
defined as follows:

(3)

Step 5: Calculate coordinates for , and in the local

coordinate system.

The coordinates , and have to be transformed from the global to the

local coordinate system. After this step has been completed, points , and
will be located on the xy-plane of the local coordinate system, as presented in
Figure 10, and can thereafter be treated as two-dimensional points using standard
trigonometric functions.
166 R. Benad

Circle Centre

Fig. 10. The xy-plane of the local coordinate system.

Firstly, the points have to be translated to the local coordinate system before any
rotation is applied. In equation 4, refers to the origin of the local axis system
in the global coordinate system. This point will be equal to if the local
coordinate system was defined as suggested above. is any point in the global
coordinate system being transformed to the local coordinate system.

Secondly, calculate the rotation of the point using matrix multiplication. In

equation 5, represents the input point components and represents the
resulting output point components in the local coordinate system. A, B, C and D
are defined as revealed in equation 5.

(4)

Assume , A, B, C and D to be:

(5)

Then,
A Practical Method for Determining the Geometry of
a Double-Inclined Circular Curve for Use in Incrementally Launched Bridges 167

Step 6: Find the circle equation through , and in the

local coordinate system.

The centre point and radius of the circle can be calculated by finding the equation
for the circle through the local coordinates , and .

Step 7: Calculate the required launch path coordinates in the local

coordinate system.

A two-dimensional rotation technique about the local circle centre point can be
used to find reference points on the launch path. Points on the bridge cross section
can be calculated by adding horizontal and vertical offsets to each reference point
on the launch path.

Step 8: Transform the calculated coordinates to the global

coordinate system.

The final step is to transform all the newly calculated points from the local
coordinate system back to the global project coordinate system. To achieve this,
the steps are equivalent to converting from the global- to the local coordinate
system. However, applied in the reverse order, with the negative of the Euler
Angles being used in the rotation step, and the components of added instead
of subtracted in the translation step.

Conclusion

Calculating the launch path and setting out information for double-inclined
incrementally launched bridges can be a complex endeavor. The method
presented in this paper divides the problem into a number of relatively simple
steps and allows the designer to visualize the process. The designer can
additionally work in two-dimensional space when calculating the points of the
launch path. This method is most suited to implementation as a computer program
or spreadsheet, where the designer will be allowed to easily calculate a large
number of discrete points.

Before the launch the results are used for the setting out of the piers, any
temporary supports and the casting yard to a very high accuracy to ensure a
168 R. Benad

successful launch. During the launch the results are used to monitor and verify the
path of the structure.

References

[1] Hauser H, Peter S, et al (2010) Crossing the Funder Valley Using the Patented Match-Cast
Incremental Launching Method. From: 34th International Symposium On Bridge And
Structural Engineering, Venice
[2] Edwards CM, Aurecon (2011) Submission for the Fulton Awards for excellence in the use
of concrete. Hatfield, South Africa
[3] Fulton Awards (2011) Commendation Innovative Technologies Incrementally Launched
Bridge. South Africa
[4] Canceri, Joseph (2006) The Geometric Design of Curved Incrementally Launched
Prestressed Concrete Bridges. From:AustRoads 6th Bridge Conference, Perth
[5] Stewart, James (1999) Vectors and the Geometry of Space. In:Calculus Early
Transcendentals, 4th edn. Brooks/Cole, CA
[6] Weisstein, Eric W (2008) Euler Angles from MathWorld -A Wolfram Web
Resource.http://mathworld.wolfram.com/EulerAngles.html. Accessed 13 August 2008
[7] Wikipedia (2008) Atan2 Function - Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atan2.
Accessed 13 August 2008
[8] Wikipedia (2008) Euler Angles - Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler_angles.
Accessed 13 August 2008