Rigid-frame (Ramen) bridges

Rigid-frame (Ramen) bridges are a bridge type made up of groups of rigidly connected members on which bending moment, axial force, and shear force work at the same time. Rigid-frame bridges are grouped into Vierendeel bridges, which are considered superstructure girder bridges, and bridges of superstructure-substructure integral structure. Bridges of superstructure-substructure integral structure include braced rigid-frame bridges, V-leg rigid-frame bridges, and viaducts in urban areas. The applied spans of rigid-frame bridges are about 40 to 80 meters in general. JFE Engineer has been involved in the construction and erection of many rigid-frame bridges.

Construction examples

Ohashi Junction

Year completed	2010
Bridge type	Rigid-frame bridge
Client	Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd.
Bridge length	(Ramp B) 310m, (Ramp D) 214m
Features	4-span continuous steel deck box girder (double-deck structure) Large-scale junction construction in an urban area via single-operation erection of large blocks at night

Ebinakita Junction Ramp F Bridge

Year completed	2005
Bridge type	Rigid-frame bridge
Client	Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited
Bridge length	187m
Features	4-span continuous box girder (1-box 3-cell section) Single-operation erection of large blocks spanning over the Tomei Expressway Steel-concrete composite deck slabs used

Yokooji Viaduct

Year completed	2005
Bridge type	3-span continuous steel deck slab rigid-frame bridge
Client	Hanshin Expressway Public Corporation
Bridge length	224m
Features	Weather-resistant bridge (chemical conversion treatment applied)

Kotsuki Bridge

Year completed	2002
Bridge type	3-span continuous composite rigid-frame bridge
Client	Japan Highway Public Corporation
Bridge length	125m
Features	Superstructure-substructure integral bridge

Section KJ141

Year completed	2001
Bridge type	5-span continuous rigid-frame bridge
Client	Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation
Bridge length	234m
Features	Rigid frame connected with steel piers

Toyoyama (No. 5) Section

Year completed	2000
Bridge type	3-span continuous steel deck rigid-frame bridge
Client	Nagoya Expressway Public Corporation
Bridge length	325m
Features	Rigid frame connected with steel piers

Nishizawa Bridge

Year completed	1995
Bridge type	5-span continuous V-pier rigid-frame bridge
Client	Yamanashi Prefecture
Bridge length	360m
Features	Curved V-leg rigid frame

Sanpodani Bridge No. 4

Year completed	1994
Bridge type	Braced rigid-frame bridge
Client	Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kyushu Regional Development Bureau
Bridge length	78m