Indian Roads Congress

Special Publication 56

GUIDELINES FOR
STEEL PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGES

NEW DELHI 2000

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Indian Roads Congress

Special Publication 56

GUIDELINES FOR
STEEL PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGES

Published by
THE INDIAN ROADS CONGRESS
Copies can be had from
The Secretary, Indian Roads Congress
Jamnagar House, Shahjahan Road
New Deihi-IJOOJI

NEW DELHI 2000

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Price Rs. 40/.

(plus packing and
postage)

IRC :SP:56-2000
First Published : January, 20(30

(Rights of Publication and of Translation are reserved)

Printed at Dee Kay Printers, 5/16, Kirti Nagar, mdl. Area, New Delhi-110015
(1000 copies)

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IRC:SP:56-2000

GUIDELINES FOR STEEL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES

CONTENTS
Page No.
Composition of Bridge Specifications and
Standards Committee

(i) to (iii)

Background

Entroduction

2.

Scope

3.

Aesthetics

4.

Design Loads

5.

Deflection of Girders

6.

Minimum Thickness of Sections

7.

Width and Headroom

8.

Clearance

Approach Stairs

10.

Approach Ramps

11,

Handrails

12.

Size of Hoardings

13.

Deck Material

14.

Precautionary Measures

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mRC:SP:56-2000
MEMBERS OF THE BRIDGE SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARDS COMMITTEE

ANT)

(As on 24.10.98)
I Prafulla Kuniar
(Convenor)

Director General (Road Development),

Ministry of Surface Transport (Roads Wing),
Transport Bhawan, New Dethi-1l0001

2. The Chief Engineer (B) S&R

(Member-Secretary)

(Krishan Kant), Ministry of Surface Transport

(Roads Wing),Transport Bhawan,
New Delhi-I 10001

7. 5.5. Chakraborty

Managing Director, Consulting Engg. Services

(t) Pvt, Ltd., 57, Nehru Place, New Delhi- 110019

4, Dr. M.G. Tamhankar

Emeritus Scientist, Structural Engg. Res. Centre,

399, Pocket B, Mayur Vihar Phase 11, Delhi-i 10091

5. Ninan Koshi

DG(RD) & AddI. Secretary (Retd.), 56, Nalanda

Apartments, Vikasputi, New Delhi

6. AG. Borkar

Technical Adviser to Metropolitan Commr..

A-I, Susnehi Plot No.22. Arun KumarVaidya
Nagat Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai-400050

7. bI.K. Sinha

ChiefEngineer (PlC), Ministry of Surface

Transport (Roads Wing), Transport Bhawan,
New Delhi-I 10001

8. M.V.B. Rao

Head, Bridges Division. Central Road Research

Institute, P.O. CRRI, New Delhi-110020

9. CR. Alinichandani

Chairman & Managing Director, STUP

Consultants Ltd., 1004-5, Raheja Chambers,
213, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400021

10. Dr. 5K. Thakkar

Professor, Department of Earthquake Engg.,

University of Roorkee, Roorkee-247667

II. M.K. Bhagwagar

Consulting Engineer, Engg, Consultants (P) Ltd.,

F-14/l5, Connaught Place, New Delhi-l10001

12. P.tl Wani

Member, Maharashtra Public Service Commission,

Bank of India Building, Munsbai-400025

ADG(B) being not in position. The meeting was presided by Shri Prafulla Kumar,
l)irector General (Road Development), Ministry of Surface Transport

(i)

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IRC:SP:56-2000
13 S.A, Reddi

Dy. Managing Director, Gammon India Ltd.,

Gammon House, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-40(X)25

14 Vijay Kumar

General Manager, UP State Bridge Corporation Ltd.,

486, Hawa Singh Block, Asiad Village,
New Delhi-I 10049

15. CV. Kand

Consultant, E-21l 36, Mahavir Nagar, Bhopal-462016

16. M.K. Mukherjee

401182, CR. Park, New Delhi-110019

7. Mahesh Tandom

Managing Director, Tandon Consultants (P) Ltd.,

17, Link Road, Jangpura Extn., New Delhi

IS. Dr. TN. Suhba Rao

Chairman, Construma Consultancy (P) Ltd.,

2nd floor, Pinky Plaza. Mumbai-400052

19. AK. Hard

Executive Director (B&S), Research Designs &

Standards Organisation, Lucknow-22601 I

20. AD. Narain

Director General (Road Development) & AddI.

Secy., MOST (Retd.), B-l86, Sector 26, NOIDA

21. V.R.Jayadas

Chief Engineer, Dy. Director General (B), DGBR,

West Block-tV, Wing I, R.K. Puram,New Delhi-66

22. P.C. Bhasin

324, Mandalcini Enclave, Alkananda,

New Delhi-llOOI9

23. PK. Sarmah

Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads) Assam,

P.O. Chandmari, Guwahati-781003

24. SR. Tambe

Secretary, Maharashtra PWD (Retd.),

72. Pranit J. Patkar Marg, Opp. Podar Hospital,
Worli, Mumbai-400025

25. The Secretary to the Govt.

ofGujarat

(H.P. Jamdar) R&B Department, Block No.14,

New Sachivalaya, 2nd floor, Gandhinagar-3820l0

26. The Chief Engineer (R&B)

(D. Sree Rama Murthy), National Highways,

Irrum Manril, Hyderabad-5000482

27. The Chief Engineer (NH)

(D. Guha), Public Works Department, Writers

Building, Block C, Calcutta-70000l

28. The Engineer-in-Chief

(KB. Lal Singal), Haryana P.W.D., B&R,

Sector- 19 B, Chandigarh-160019

(ii)

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IRC:SP:56-2000
29. The l)irector General
(Works)

Central Public Works Department,

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

30. The Chief Engineer

Ministry of Surface Transport (Roads Wing),

Transport Bhawan, New Delhi

31. The Chief Engineer (B) S&R

(CC. Bhattacharya), Ministry of Surface Transpost

(Roads Wing), Transport Bhawan, New Delhi

32. The Director

Highways Researci, Station,

76, Sarthat Patel Road, Chennai-600025

31. The Director & Head

Bureau of Indian Standards,

Manak Bhawan, 9, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi-I 10002

34. The Chief Engineer (NH)

M,P. Public Works Department, Bhopal-461004

35. The Chief Engineer (NH)

UP. P.W.D., Lucknow

36. The Chief Engineer (NH)

Punjab PWD, B&R Branch, Patiala

Ex-Officio Members

37. President,
Indian Roads CongTess

Maj. CR. Ramesh,

Secretary to the Govt. ofKarnataka, P.W.D.
Bangalore

38. Director General

Prafulla Kumar, DG(RD), Ministry of Surface

Transport (Roads Wing), Transport Bhawan,
New Delhi-1I0001

39. Secretary,
Indian Roads Congress

S.C. Sharma, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Surface

Transport (Roads Wing). Transport Bhawan,
New Delhi-I 10001
Corresponding Members

I.

N.y Merani

Principal Secretary (Retd.), A-47/1 344, Adarsh

Nagar. Worli, Mumbai-400025

2.

1)r. G.P. Saha

Chief Engineer, Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd.,

Hincon House, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg,
Vikhroli (W), Mumbai-400083

3.

Shitala Sharan

Advisor Consultant, Consulting Engg. Services

(1) Pvt. Ltd., 57, Nehru Place, New Delhi-1100I9

(iii)

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IRC:SP:56-2000

GUIDELINES FOR STEEL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES

BACKGROUND

The draft Guidelines for Steel Pedestrian Bridges prepared by the

Steel Bridges Committee (B-7) consisting of the following personnel was
finalised during its meeting held at New Delhi on 2 1.7.98,
Vijay Kurnar
R.P. Indoria

Convenor
Member-Secretary
MEMBERS

Achyut Ghosh
Si. Worlikar
M,K. Agarwal
R. Ray Chaudhun
Vinod Kuxnar
KM. Loomba
TB. Baneijee
iN. Pujni
D.D. Sharma
Utpal K. Ghosh
Dr. P. Jayakrishnan
S. Ahmed
A. Ghosha]
AS. Prasada Rao
H.D. Matange
Prof. Sushil K. Agarwala
Dr. Harshavardhan Subba Rao
Ex-OFFICIO MEMBERS
President, IRC
(Maj. CR. Ramesh)

DG(RD)
(A,D. Narain)
Secretary, IRC
(S.C. Sharma)

CORRESPONDING MEMBER
Kanishka Bishi
Mahesh Tandon

Dr. L,M. Gupta

AK. Bhattacharya
A.K. Basa

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IRC:SP:56-2000
These draft Guidelines were considered and approved by the Bridge
Specifications and Standards Committee at Iheir meeting held at New
Delhi on 24.10.98 and later approved by the Executive Committee through
circulation. The Council approved the draft in its meeting held on 31 .1 .1999,
at Hyderabad,
1. INTRODUCTION

1. I.
Most of the pedestrian bridges in India have so far been constructed
by local authorities, State PWDs or the Indian Railways~.In the absence of
a separate code for steel pedestrian bridges, the recotnmendations contained
in IRC:24 Standard Specifications and Codes ofPractice for Road Bridges,
Section V Steel Road Bridges published by the Indian Roads Congress
have generally been followed for the design and construction ofthese bridges.
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1.2.
With the rapid development work in the urban sector in India,
construction activities for pedestrian crossings over roadways and railways
in and around metropolitan and large cities have increased considerably.
This trend is likely to continue with further development leading to demands
for pedestrian crossings in suburban towns as well. Apart from urban areas,
pedestrian bridges are also being built over rivers, valleys and in amusement
parks etc.
1.3.
In view of the above developments, preparation of a separate
Guidelines for Steel Pedestrian Bridges has become necessaty. The present
publication is expected to satisfy this need and to serve as a guide for the
design and construction of steel pedestrian bridges.
2. SCOPE

2, I.

These guidelines deals mainly with specific recommendations for

the design of superstructure of pedestrian bridges in structural steelworks.
2.2.
These recommendations should be considered as complementary
to the requirements contained in IRC:24 Standard Specifications and Code
of Practice for Road Bridges, Section V Steel Road Bridges whose
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IRC:SP:56-2000
provisions shall be applicable in all matters including design parameters
except for those specifically mentioned in these guidelines.
3. AESTHETICS

Pedestrian bridges offer a wide range of opportunities for

imaginative and innovative architectural design. A designer should, therefore,
try to design the bridge to be as attractive as possible keeping in mind, the
functional requirements. A few guidelines towards this end are offered
3.1.

hereunder:
a)

The structure should be in harmony with the surrounding landscape and

environment

b)

The proportions of the different elements of the bridge, e.g.. lengthldepth/

width should be proportionate and in harmony with each other.

c)

External finish and painting should be such as to enhance the elegance of

the bridge.

d)

The lighting on the bridge should not only be adequate for the pedestrians,
but should be tastefully designed to create an aesthetically pleasing
environment at night.
4. DESIGN LOADS

4.1.

Imposed Vertical Leads

4.1 .1.
The imposed load due to pedestrian traffic shall be treated as a
uniformly distributed load over the clear footway.
4.1.2.

a)

Where exceptional crowd loads are likely to occur such as on

bridges located in urban (or congested) areas the intensity of
loading shall be taken as 500 kg/sq.m.

b) For bridges located in other urban or rural areas where no

particular crowds are expected, the intensity of the loading
shall be taken as 400 kgfsq.m.
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IRC:SP:56-2000

4. 1.3.

The above loadings are to be considered for the design of all parts
of the bridge floors and general stability of the structure.
For the purpose of designing the main girders the loading shall be
taken as:
a)
b)

For L<30m
:
For L >30rn : P = [P

where

P
I..
W

=
=
=

P=P
260 + ~QQ)Jx [(16.8 W)l
L
15
-

400 kg/rn2 or 500 kg/rn2 as the case may be based on

clause 4.1.2
design load in kg/rn2
effective span of main girder, truss or arch in rn
width of footway in,metre

ln exceptional situations the reduction of loading may not be

applicable.
4.1.4.

No

4,2.

Imposed Horizontal Loads

allowance

need be made for dynamic effects.

A crowd of men pushing against a balustrade may exert a horizontal

of about 250 kg/rn when they are three deep. Therefore, where crowd
loads are likely to occur, the railings and parapets together with the members
which give them structural support shall be designed to resist a lateral horizontal
force of 250 kg/rn and a vertical force of 150kg/rn applied simultaneously at
a height of 1.1 m above datum level, irrespective of the actual height of the
barrier. For this purpose, the datum level should be taken as the finished level
of the bridge floor. In cases where no particular crowds are expected, the
horizontal design force may be reduced to 150 kg/rn.
load

4.3.

Wind Load
For calculation of a pedestrian bridge, due consideration as per
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IRC:SP:56-2000
the relevant clause of IRC:6 should be given on hoardings or any other
obstructions which may be fixed on the bridge, taking into account the
position and size of the hoardings or obstructions.
4.4.

Seismic load

Structures should take into account earthquake effect as applicable

as per the relevant clause of 1RC:6.
5. DEFLECTION OF GIRDERS

5.1.
Rolled steel beams, channels, plate girders or lattice girders, either
simple or continuous spans, shall be designed so that the total vertical
deflection due to dead load and live load should not exceed 1/300 of the
span. However, this limit may be exceeded in cases where greater deflection
would not impair the strength or efficiency of the structure or lead to damage
of the finishing.
5.2.

Care should

also be taken to ensure adequate stiffness of the

deflection or vibrations are kept to the
feeling of the pedestriansusing the bridge.

structure so that the horizontal

minimum to avoid uncomfortable

6. MINIMUM THICKNESS OF SECTIONS

6. 1.

For all rnetnhers of the structure, excluding parapets and packings,

thicknesses of plates and rolled sections except for
webs of beams and channels shall apply:

the following minimum

a)

8 mm when both sides are accessible for painting or are in close contact
with other plates or rolled sections or are adequately protected against
corrosion.

hi

When one side is not readily accessible for painting or is not in close contact
with another member or is not otherwise adequately protected and where the
thickness required by calculation is less than 12.5 mm, 1.5mm shall be added
to the calculated thickness subject to the total thicknes.s being not less than
tO rriiii.

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IRC:SP:56-2000
c)

6mm for built up box members when the inside ofthe member is effectively
seated.

dl

The above stipulations shall not apply to hollow tube sections (rectangular,
square or round), provided the ends are adequately seated and external
corrosion protection is sound.
7, WIDTH AND HEADROOM

The minimum clear width of a pedestrian bridge should preferably

he 1.8 m and may be increased to suit specific requirements in busy areas.
Where the clear width is more than 1.8 m, dividers (or pillars) should be
fixed at each end of the bridge to prevent vehicles from plying over the
bridge.
Where the bridge is covered or have members across at top of
walkway, the minimum clear headroom should be 2.5 m measured from the
finished level of the bridge floor to the underside of the support member of
the covering.
8. CLEARANCE

The horizontal and vertical clearance of the pedestrian bridge over

roadways or railways shall comply with the clearance requirement of IRC
or the concerned authorities,
9. APPROACH STAIRS

The following terms are generally used:

9. I.

Tread

The horizontal upper surface of a step upon which the foot is

placed.

Riser
Rise

The vertical portion of step.

The vertical height between the upper surfaces of two successive
steps.
Angle of inclination of the stair with horizontal
The exposed edge ofthe tread (usually projecting).
A series of steps between landings.
A level platform at the top of a flight between floors.
Horizontal distance between two riser faces.

Pitch
Nosing
Flight
Landing
Going

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IRC:SP:56-2000
9.2.

Pitch

The pitch shall be uniform for the bridge and shall be maximum
40 degree and minimum 30 degree. A suitable shape for a step is 17cm rise
and 25 cm going with 2.5 cm nosing to give a tre.ad of 27.5 cm, with skid
free surface.
9.3.

Height of Flights
Height of flights should be limited to 3 m.

9.4.

Landings

Landings, of length equal to the width of stairs, shall be provided

at the end of each flight.
9.5.

Headroom
Where the staircase is covered, the minimum clear headroom should

be 2.5 iii

measured

9.6.

Treads

from top of the riser to the ceiling.

Treads should be level throughout and made with rough surface to

reduce slipping.
10. APPROACH RAMPS

Where approach ramps are preferred to approach stairs, the gradient

should preferably be about 1 in 5.
11. HANDRAILS

The height of railings should be 1 .1 m minimum. If the railing is

composed of balustrades, the spacing between them and any adjacent member
should not he more than 7.5 cm. The lowest rail shall be maximum 1 5 cm
above the floor of the bridge or the nose of steps.
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IRC: SP:56-2000
For ensuring safety, minimum gap between vertical infills should
not be more than 200 mm. Where vertical infills are not provided minimum
gap between horizontal rails should not exceed 150 mm.
12. SIZE OF HOARDINGS

Normally, no hoarding should be allowed in a pedestrian bridge.

However, it is common practice, particularly in urban areas, to fix hoardings
on to pedestrian bridges for advertisements or other notifications, In such
cases, the location and size of hoardings should be predetermined and it
should be ensured that the size of the hoarding does not interfere with the
ventilation or vision of the pedestrian using the bridge. For this purpose, a
minimum clearance of 2 metres from the finished level of the bridge to the
lowest level of the hoarding is recommended.
13. DECK MATERIAL

Deck material should be selected keeping in view its performance

in exposed conditions and also to ensure protection against corrosion. In
general, concrete slabs or ribbed steel plates with non skid surface are
considered desirable material for this purpose.
14. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

Proper care should be taken in detailing of steel superstructure of

the pedestrian bridges to ensure not only the functional requirements but
also to avoid any hazards such as gaps and stumbling objects in flooring
and projecting objects from sides which might hurt the user.
Adequate protection arrangement should also be introduced to
prevent users from coming in contact with nearby potential dangers such as
live electrical wires or moving objects.

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