The Sombrio Bridge (2012) replaced a timber span on Highway 14 with a two-lane steel plate girder crossing. Four girders, ~500t of steel, were launched without a nose or temporary pier. Stability was achieved using precast deck panels as counterweights, removed during tipping and added back as the cantilever grew. This construction-driven solution cut costs, improved safety, and strengthened the permanent bridge.

The Gilbert River Bridge in Quebec (2013) demonstrates why capturing camber in analysis is critical to incremental launching. By adjusting support elevations during staged analysis, engineers accurately predicted reactions and deflections, ensuring the 4,000-tonne superstructure met both geometric and structural demands during erection.

The Athabasca River Bridge in Fort McMurray set a North American record in 2009 with the widest simultaneous steel girder launch. Nearly 5,000 tonnes of steel were incrementally launched across 375m of the 472m-long bridge, eliminating the need for a temporary pier through an innovative jacking strategy. This value-engineered solution reduced costs, improved safety, and accelerated construction.

Spannovation’s “Visualize It” practice is all about building structural intuition by mentally simulating behaviour. In this follow-up to our 2019 fundamentals, we show how physical tools like the Mola model turn theory into feel—helping engineers truly see how structures deform. Ready to test your instincts? Try the Mola Quiz Challenge at 👉 spannovation.com/quiz.

A hands-on Mola model demonstration helped correct a common misconception in frame behaviour. When lateral load was applied to one column, the deflected shape revealed opposing curvatures—highlighting the importance of visualization in developing structural intuition. At Spannovation, we champion sketching and modelling to build the all-important engineering gut feel.

This article explores the intricate art and science of longitudinal tendon layout in segmental bridges—revealing how construction staging, geometry constraints, and pre-compensation forces shape design decisions. It highlights how tools like TendonWorks are revolutionizing the process through automation and AI-driven optimization, with case studies from the Mithi River and Yamuna Bridges demonstrating dramatic savings in time, cost, and complexity.

Smart span layout = better performance. Learn how joint placement and geometry impact cost, constructability & durability.

At Yamuna Bridge, precise elevation monitoring during pre-compensation revealed asymmetrical deformation due to stiffness differences between stitched and unstitched cantilevers. Engineers corrected the imbalance by strategically placing kentledge on the more flexible side, reducing the level difference to just 4 mm. This case highlights how field data and adaptive response play a critical role in validating and fine-tuning segmental bridge design strategies.

Long-span bridges are key to smooth, high-capacity transit—and smarter design is making them stronger than ever.

Bridge abutment piles in lateral spreading zones experience "back-rotation" due to superstructure restraint, challenging conventional design

Pile depth-of-fixity: A critical yet misunderstood concept in deep foundation design. Structural and geotechnical engineers must align on it

Dive into bridge design and seismic soil-structure interaction in our biweekly series. Explore pile analysis and performance based design.

Dive into seismic bridge design with our two-part webinar series on Pushover Analysis. Learn from experts from Spannovation and SOFiSTiK.

Center-span girder segment lifting and erection using a stiffening truss with a 400 ton crane for the new Athabasca River Bridge.

Spannovation excels in bridge assessments, ensuring safety and longevity through detailed inspections and advanced load evaluations.

We perform structural checks on out-of-province supplier equipment to ensure compliance with project and WCB standards.

Pushing systems in incremental bridge launching: hydraulic jacks, rams, winches, and cranes, each with unique pros and cons.

The launch nose reduces bending moments during bridge girder launches, ensuring smooth transitions and structural integrity.

The launch bed is essential for assembling and moving steel girder segments during bridge construction, tailored to project-specific needs.

This post outlines staging analysis for incremental launching, covering launch stages, FEM creation, and results in the erection manual.