Elementalistic and Holistic Views for Evaluation and Design of Structure Movement Systems

Abstract

In the evaluation and design of structure movement systems (bridge joints, bearings, flexible members, flexible supports, etc.), numerous errors are made by bridge designers who appear to have used and depended on a primarily elementalistic approach to structure design. By means of representative examples, it is demonstrated that bridge designers should supplement the elementalistic approach with a comprehensive or holistic approach. This dual approach to design will help ensure that structure movement systems will be suitably configured and coordinated to facilitate all anticipated short- and long-term movements and deformations.