ROAD STRUCTURES DESIGN MANUAL

11 PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES
A pedestrian bridge is defined as a bridge intended to carry primarily pedestrians and bicyclists and
light maintenance vehicles and not intended for use by typical highway traffic.

11.1 General
Use the AASHTO BDS and Guide Specifications for Design of Pedestrian Bridges (36) (DPB) for
the design and construction of typical pedestrian bridges with any modifications presented herein.
The DPB provides additional guidance on the design and construction of pedestrian bridges when
compared to the BDS, and for wind and fatigue provisions, when compared to the AASHTO Standard

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Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals (37) (SSS).
In addition, the AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities may
be useful in the planning, access facilities (i.e. stairs, lifts), and design of pedestrian bridges.

The preliminary design for a pedestrian bridge is intended to determine the most appropriate
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structure type and configuration for a given site considering the design objectives of BDS Article 2.5
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and Section 1.4 of this Manual.
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11.2 Live Load
11.2.1 Pedestrian Load (PL)
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Reference: DPB Article 3.1

Use a uniform pedestrian loading of 5.0 kN/m2 as specified in DPB Article 3.1.

The commentary of the DPB suggests that 7.18 kN/m2 represents the maximum credible pedestrian
load. This may be used for special cases where heavy pedestrian traffic can be expected.

11.2.2 Vehicle Load (LL)

Reference: DPB Article 3.2

Where maintenance vehicles can reach the superstructure, apply the vehicle configuration specified
in DPB Article 3.2 for the design of pedestrian bridges in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

11.3 Wind Load (WS)

Reference: DPB Article 3.4 and SSS Articles 3.8 and 3.9

Use 160 km/h for the basic wind speed with a gust factor of 1.14 for the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

The DPB specifies that wind loading is taken from the SSS instead of the BDS due to the potentially
flexible nature of pedestrian bridges and also due to the potential for traffic signs to be mounted on
them.

11.4 Vibrations
Reference: DPB Section 6

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The bridge owner must not waive the vibration control provisions of DPB Section 6.

This provision mandates that the owner control vibrations whereas the DPB allows the owner to
waive this control.

11.5 Design
11.5.1 Geometrics
Design the geometrics of the bridge and the approach transitions to meet the requirements of the
DPB. For pedestrian bridges over waterways, the hydraulics engineer determines the necessary
hydraulic opening. Clearances over other facilities are determined on a project-by-project basis.

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11.5.2 Structure Type
Select structure types as deemed appropriate for the given site. For an evaluation of structure type,
consider constructability, aesthetics, use of falsework, construction costs, etc.

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11.5.3 Seismic
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Apply the AASHTO seismic provisions to pedestrian bridges, as modified by this Manual. See
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Chapter 2 and Section 3.3.1.

11.5.4 Fatigue
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For fatigue load, use Section 11 of the SSS as specified in the DPB; for fatigue resistance, use
Section 6 of the BDS, Section 11 of the SSS, or Figure 2.13 of the AWS D1.1 – Structural Welding
Code – Steel (20), as appropriate, also as specified in the DPB.

11.5.5 Detailed Design Requirements

Design and detail pedestrian bridges as follows:

1. Fully design and detail foundation and substructure in the plans.

2. Fully design and detail all approach structures including non-truss approach spans, ramps,
steps/stairways, approach slabs, retaining walls, etc., in the plans.
3. Include general plan and elevation indicating minimum aesthetic requirements for the
prefabricated bridge in the plans.
4. In case of “Design and Build” contract, the Contractor designs and details a prefabricated
superstructure after award of the contract and submits the design calculations, technical
specifications, and fully detailed shop drawing to the Engineer for review and approval prior
to fabrication. Components in the shop drawings must include trusses, floor system, lateral
bracing, deck, railing/fencing, deck joints, bearing assemblies, etc. In conventional contracts,
these services will be provided by the Engineer and the design will go through a Category 2
checking.

Desirably, limit the maximum overall width of prefabricated bridges to 3.6 m. This eliminates the
need for a spliced section.

Design all pedestrian bridges for a 75-year design life.

Clearance criteria for pedestrian bridges are as follows:

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1. Provide a minimum of 3.0 m vertical clearance above the bridge deck, except for pedestrian
bridges that can be accessed by camels, where the vertical clearance above the deck is 4.5
m.

2. Consider future widening of the roadway below when determining horizontal clearances.

11.5.6 Deflections
Use the following to determine maximum allowable deflections for pedestrian bridges:

1. Pedestrian Load .................................................................. Span/500

2. Maintenance Vehicle Load .................................................. Span/500
3. Cantilever Arms Due to Service Pedestrian Live Load ....... Cantilever Length/300

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4. Horizontal Deflection Due to Lateral Wind Load ................. Span/500
5. Design the pedestrian bridge to match the plan profile grade after all permanent dead load
has been applied.

11.5.7
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Steel Connections

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Field welding is allowed only by prior written approval and then only when bolting is impractical or
impossible.
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11.5.7.1 Bolting Criteria
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Design bolted connections per Chapter 5 with the exception of bearing type connections permitted
only for bracing members.

11.5.7.2 Tubular Steel Connections

Open-ended tubing is not acceptable.

Prior to bolting of field sections, tubular members are capped and fully sealed with the following
exception. Provide weep holes at the low point of all members to allow for drainage of water
accumulated inside the members during transport and erection. After erection is complete and prior
to painting, the weep holes are sealed with silicone plugs.

Require that all field splices be shop fit. Specify or show field sections bolted together using splice
plates. Direct Tension Indicators (DTI) are prohibited in bolted connections. When through bolting is
necessary, stiffen the tubular section to ensure the shape of the tubular section is retained after final
bolting. See Figure 11.1.

11.5.7.3 Vibrations
Pedestrian bridges are highly susceptible to vibrations. Limits on vibration are specified in the DPB.
Check vibration frequency under temporary construction conditions.

11.5.8 Charpy V-Notch Testing

Require ASTM A709M Charpy V-notch testing for all structural steel tension members.

Figure 11.1: Tubular Truss Splice Detail

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Require impact testing requirements as follows:
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1. Test non-fracture critical tension members in accordance with ASTM A709M (latest version).
2. Primary tension chords in a two truss bridge may be considered non-fracture critical due to
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frame action.
3. Test fracture critical tension members according to ASTM A709M (latest version).
4. Test tubular tension members according to ASTM A500M.
5. Cross frames, transverse stiffeners, and bearing stiffeners not having bolted attachments
and expansion joints do not require testing.

11.5.9 Painting/Galvanizing
Coatings are not required for the interior of tubular components. Consider the suitability of the
fabricated component for galvanizing. Hot-dip galvanizing may be used where entire steel
components can be galvanized after fabrication and where project specific aesthetic requirements
allow. Welding components together after galvanizing is not acceptable.

11.5.10 Erection
Design and detail pedestrian bridge plans to minimize the disruption of traffic during bridge erection.
Include the following notes on the plans:

 erection over traffic is prohibited, and

 the Contractor is responsible for designing a falsework system capable of supporting portions
of the superstructure during erection.

11.5.11 Railings/Enclosures
Occasional use of the bridge by maintenance or emergency vehicles generally does not warrant the
use of a crash tested combination pedestrian/traffic railing.

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Provide railing options as follows:

1. 1.3 m pedestrian/bicycle railing (minimum)

2. 1.5 m special height bicycle railing
3. Open top fence/railing combination
4. Full enclosure fence/railing combination
5. Open top cladding/railing combination (e.g. glass, steel panel, concrete panel)
6. Full enclosure cladding/railing combination

Utilize standard fence designs or connection details, where applicable.

The railing shall be approved by the client’s safety engineer.

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11.5.12 Drainage
Design and detail drainage systems as required. Provide curbs, drains, pipes, or other means to
drain the superstructure pedestrian deck. Do not allow drainage of the superstructure onto the
roadway underneath.
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11.5.13
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Corrosion Resistant Details
Provide designs so that water and debris will quickly dissipate from all surfaces of the structure and
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will not cause corrosion of members and connections.
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11.5.14 Lighting/Attachments
For tubular structures, design any attachment, including electrical wiring, signs, signals, etc.,
strapped to the bridge. Do not allow the tapping of holes into the structural tubular members.

Design lighting attachments for wind loads as per the SSS.

11.5.15 Maintenance and Inspection Attachments

Inspections will be performed in accordance with current procedures and criteria and maintenance
guidelines. The inspection and maintenance criteria of private permitted bridges that cross Abu
Dhabi Emirate roadway facilities are the same as for public bridges.

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