7. Construction

This section defines the staged construction sequence for the bridge, enabling time-dependent analysis with proper load application at each phase.

Construction staging is essential for accurate analysis of steel bridges, as it captures non-composite behavior during erection and composite behavior after deck curing.

Construction Stages

Stage	Description
Construction Stage	Define the overall construction timeline and stage sequence
Superstructure Construction	Girder erection, deck pouring, and barrier placement
Substructure Construction	Bearing, pier, foundation, and pile construction

Staged Construction Workflow

1. Substructure Construction: Foundations, piles, columns, and caps

2. Bearing Installation: Place bearings at support locations

3. Girder Erection: Steel girder and cross-frame placement

4. Deck Construction: Concrete deck pouring sequence

5. Superstructure Attachments: Barriers and roadway elements

Key Concepts

• Non-composite Stage: Steel girders carry construction loads before deck hardens

• Composite Stage: Combined steel-concrete section after deck curing

• Time-dependent Effects: Creep and shrinkage per CEB-FIP 1990