Design and Economic Comparison of a Bridge Superstructure with Post-Tensioned Concrete Beams or with Box-Slab-Beams

In this article, the superstructure of a 30-meter-span bridge without intermediate supports is designed, technically compared, and economically evaluated using two different variants, with the objective of determining the most advantageous option for use in Ecuador. In one case, a reinforced concrete slab over prestressed concrete girders is used, while in the other, the girders and slab are integrally connected to form a box section. The design was carried out following current international and Ecuadorian standards.For the bridge with a slab over prestressed girders, an internally developed calculation tool is used. For the box-section girder-slab bridge, a preliminary design is performed based on standards and modeled using specialized software. The economic analysis considers current material and labor costs in Ecuador. A schedule of activities is established using Gantt charts and timelines, adjusted to equal time scales for both bridge types and similar conditions, ensuring consistent comparison indicators.The study concludes that, based on the design and economic analysis conducted for both variants, for a 30-meter span—typical for overpass bridges—the slab-over-prestressed-girder bridge represents the best option from a construction and economic standpoint. This serves as a guideline for designers in selecting the most suitable solution.

• 第一著者: Correa Vallejo, María Belén (author)
• その他の著者: Almeida Hernández , John Alex (author), Armas Herrera, Alexis Eduardo (author), Hernández Rodríguez, Luis Tinerfe (author), Arévalo Chafuel, Diego Armando (author)
• フォーマット: article
• 言語: spa
• 出版事項: 2025
• 主題: Comparación económica; diseño estructural; hormigón postensado; puentes; superestructura; Economic comparison; structural design; post stress concrete; bridges; superstructure
• オンライン･アクセス: https://revistadigital.uce.edu.ec/index.php/INGENIO/article/view/7839