CHAPTER 1CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS:HEAVY CONSTRUCTIONAs a general rule, the term heavy construction refersto the type of construction in which large bulks ofmaterials and extra-heavy structural members are used,such as steel, timber, concrete, or a combination of thesematerials. In the Naval Construction Force, heavyconstruction includes the construction of bridges,waterfront structures, and steel flame structures.The Seabee’s construction functions, in support ofthe Navy’s and Marine Corps’ operating forces, mightinclude the design and construction of these variousstructures or their rehabilitation; therefore, you, as anEA, should understand the terminology, the basicprinciples, and the methodology used in the constructionof these facilities. Your knowledge of the methods andmaterials used in heavy construction will greatly assistyou in the preparation of engineering drawings(original, modified, or as-built).This chapter will discuss basic heavy constructionmethods and materials.BRIDGE CONSTRUCTIONA bridge is a structure used to carry traffic over adepression or an obstacle, and it generally consists oftwo principal parts: the lower part, or substructure; andthe upper part, or superstructure. When a bridge issupported only at its two end supports, or abutments, itis called a single-span bridge. A bridge that has one ormore intermediate supports, such as the one shown infigure 1-1, is known as a multispan bridge. Althoughbridges may be either fixed or floating, only fixedbridges will be discussed in this training manual(TRAMAN). The following is a discussion of thecomponents of a fixed bridge.Figure 1-1.—A multispan (trestle-bent) bridge.1-1
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