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International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

A Peer-Reviewed, Open-Access International Journal Supporting Multidisciplinary Research, Digital Publishing Standards, DOI Registration, and Academic Indexing.
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ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
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License: CC BY 4.0
Peer Review: Double Blind
Volume 02, Issue 6

Published on: June 2026

EFFECT OF SPAN LENGTH ON STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE GIRDER BRIDGES USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Ajay Pratap Singh Jadon

Anil Rajpoot

Department of Civil Engineering, Vikrant University Gwalior
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.245

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Abstract

Prestressed concrete girder bridges are extensively used in transportation infrastructure due to their high structural efficiency, durability, and ability to accommodate varying span requirements. Among the critical design parameters, span length significantly influences bridge behaviour, serviceability, material consumption, and economic feasibility. The present study investigates the effect of span length on the structural performance of prestressed concrete girder bridges using analytical and finite element modelling approaches. Continuous prestressed concrete girder bridge models with span lengths varying from 20 m to 80 m were developed and analyzed under standardized dead load, live load, impact load, and seismic loading conditions. The study evaluated important structural parameters including deflection, bending moment, shear force, stress distribution, and natural frequency. Finite element analysis was performed to simulate bridge behaviour and compare performance under different span configurations. The results indicated that increasing span length significantly increased deflection, bending moments, and vibration sensitivity while reducing structural stiffness and natural frequency. Longer spans required greater prestressing force, larger girder depth, and higher material consumption to maintain structural safety and serviceability requirements. Conversely, shorter spans exhibited lower deformation and improved stiffness but required additional supports and foundations. Comparative analysis demonstrated that medium-span bridge configurations provided better structural efficiency and economic feasibility compared with very short and very long spans. The study further confirmed the effectiveness of finite element analysis in predicting the structural response of prestressed concrete girder bridges under varying span conditions. The findings of this research may assist bridge engineers and infrastructure planners in selecting optimum span configurations for safe, durable, and cost-effective bridge design.

Keywords: Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge, Span Length, Finite Element Analysis, Structural Performance, Deflection Analysis

How to Cite this Paper

Jadon, A. P. S. (2026). Effect of Span Length on Structural Performance of Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges Using Finite Element Analysis. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(6). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.245

Jadon, Ajay. "Effect of Span Length on Structural Performance of Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges Using Finite Element Analysis." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 6, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.245.

Jadon, Ajay. "Effect of Span Length on Structural Performance of Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges Using Finite Element Analysis." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 6 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.245.

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  • •All submissions are screened under plagiarism detection.
  • •Review follows editorial policy.
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  • •Peer Review Type: Double-Blind Peer Review
  • •Published on: Jun 18 2026
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