ABSTRACT
The design of a Bridge begins with the knowledge of its purpose, and the availability of the technical procedures to build it. Out of this knowledge, and adding information about the class of the highway and the type of movable loads that will be allowed to use the Bridge, the geometric characteristics of it will be chosen and the structure will be analyzed and designed. An historical view of this aspect throughout the year is a very interesting tool to help in finding the best structural and construction solution. In order to help during the pre-design step of the procedure, several geometric and materials quantity parameters can be used to easy the task of the structural engineer. With those the engineer can design a more efficient structure within a better economical range and good safety concept. Those parameters are defined through certain relationships among inherent magnitudes to a Bridge design. For instance, the quantity of framework, the amount of concrete and steel, the ratio between span/height of the slab or the girder, and the equivalent slab of the structure. For this research 37 designs of reinforced concrete bridges are analyzed, all of them belonging to the database of a consultant engineering company in the city of Curitiba. The design spans from the 1950’s up to date, and several charts are presented showing the variables (parameters) of the designs, the characteristics of the design throughout the years (the main features) and the evolution of the technics and solutions.
