Bridge Replacement Research Articles

Implementation of self-consolidating concrete in caisson construction for the Stalnaker Run Bridge

To utilize cast-in-place self-consolidating concrete (SCC) for caissons on a rural bridge replacement, specifications were first written as guidelines. A mix design was developed and tested in a reusable trial caisson that would simulate field casting conditions. A fresh sampling technique was devised to investigate the distribution of SCC within the trial caisson. Petrographic analysis of hardened samples was done to quantify the amounts of aggregates present at twenty different locations within the trial caisson. The SCC mix design was then successfully used to cast caissons of one of the two bridge abutments, with no major defects detected by cross-hole sonic logging (CSL). Hardened property tests revealed SCC compressive strengths and modulus of elasticity values that were similar to a traditional caisson concrete used on the project, while the total measured shrinkage and the splitting tensile strengths of the field SCC were seen to be lower than those of the traditional caisson concrete.

Avoiding and managing the failure of conventional crowns and bridges

The replacement of crowns and bridges is a common procedure for many dental practitioners. When correctly planned and executed, fixed prostheses will provide predictable function, aesthetics and value for money. However, when done poorly, they are more likely to fail prematurely and lead to irreversible damage to the teeth and supporting structures beneath. Sound diagnosis, assessment and technical skills are essential when dealing with failed or failing fixed restorations. These skills are essential for the 21st century dentist. This paper, with treated clinical examples, illustrates the areas of technical skill and clinical decisions needed for this type of work. It also provides advice on how the risk of premature failure can, in general, be further reduced. The article also confirms the very real risk in the UK of dento-legal problems when patients experience unexpected problems with their crowns and bridges. This paper outlines clinical implications of failed fixed prosthodontics to the dental surgeon. It also discusses factors that we can all use to predict and reduce the risk of premature restoration failure. Restoration design, clinical execution and patient factors are the most frequent reasons for premature problems. It is worth remembering (and informing patients) that the health of the underlying supporting dental tissue is often irreversibly compromised at the time of fixed restoration failure.

Survival analysis on bridges for modeling bridge replacement and evaluating bridge performance

A sustainable civil infrastructure is a prerequisite for achieving sustainability in infrastructure development. However, the finite lifetime of infrastructure indicates a latent mass-maintenance problem in some countries which had experienced mass-construction of infrastructure during high economic growth. To achieve optimal infrastructure management for overcoming this mass-maintenance problem, life prediction of infrastructure is indispensable. Hence, in this research, bridge life assessment from actual bridge survival data from the United States and Japan was carried out by using the method of survival analysis, a method commonly applied in the field of epidemiology for the analysis of lifetime. The results estimated average bridge life at 93.5 years and a bridge replacement projection model was successfully derived. The bridge replacement projection model can be applied as an approximation for other countries where the same design specifications are followed. By carrying out stratifications of bridge cohorts in the United States, evaluations of bridge performance with respect to structure length; traffic volume and truck traffic volume were also executed.

Probability of Collapse Expression for Bridges Subject to Barge Collision

Accounting for waterway vessel collision is required in the structural design of bridges spanning navigable waterways. During collision events, massive waterway vessel groups such as barge flotillas are capable of dynamically transmitting horizontal forces to impacted bridge components. Furthermore, collision-induced forces can be sufficient to collapse piers or roadway spans in the vicinity of the impact location. If collapse takes place, economic loss is suffered because of subsequent traffic rerouting and bridge replacement costs. Additionally, fatalities may occur if the roadway is occupied during or shortly after collapse. This paper focuses on the development of a probability of collapse expression for bridge piers subject to barge impact loading, where the relationship can be readily integrated into existing bridge design methodologies. The expression is developed by employing probabilistic descriptions for a multitude of random variables related to barge traffic characteristics and bridge structures in conjunction with nonlinear dynamic finite-element analyses of barge-bridge collisions. Highly efficient, advanced probabilistic simulation techniques are necessarily incorporated into the barge-bridge collision analysis framework to allow feasible estimation of structural reliability parameters. These parameters facilitate the formation of an expression that, in turn, bridge designers can use to estimate probabilities of structural collapse attributable to barge collision, without performing probabilistic analyses.

Risk-Based Benefit–Cost Analysis of Information Technology Tools for Program Management

A risk-based benefit–cost approach was used to evaluate the impact of nine information technology (IT) tools on a $1.3 billion bridge repair and replacement program. The IT tools included four tools based on geographic information systems, two document control systems, and three reporting and database systems. The risk-based approach allowed users to deal with the uncertainties around staff time savings and other factors that are imprecise and subject to variation. Taken as a whole, the IT tools had a positive benefit–cost ratio, although four of the tools taken individually did not generate enough benefits to cover their costs. The tangible benefit of these systems was the time saved by agency staff and contractors. The study concluded that organizational structure, contractual and legal requirements, timing, and coordination with existing IT systems were critical factors affecting the benefits of IT systems in support of major transportation programs. The major contribution of this study is to demonstrate the application of risk-based benefit–cost analysis to programs and to take account of the uncertainties in benefits and costs.

Settlement and Subsistence at a Middle Woodland Camp in Eastern New York

Archaeological excavations at the Schoharie Creek II site in Schoharie County, New York were conducted by the New York State Museum's Cultural Resource Survey Program as part of a federally funded bridge replacement project. Stratified deposits produced artifacts dating to the Middle Woodland Period (circa A.D. 100-A.D. 900). The data derived during this excavation provide insights into the settlement and land use practices of these prehistoric populations, and their interaction with other groups in eastern New York. This information is important to understanding the prehistory of the Schoharie Valley and eastern New York.

A method for evaluation of longitudinal joint connections of decked precast concrete girder bridges

As bridge conditions in the United States continue to deteriorate, rapid bridge replacement procedures are needed. Decked precast prestressed concrete (DPPC) girders are used for rapid bridge construction because the bridge deck is precast with the girders eliminating the need for a cast-in-place slab. One of the concerns with using DPPC girders as a bridge construction option is the durability of the longitudinal joints between girders. The objectives of this paper were to propose a method to use a spring element modeling procedure for representing welded steel connector assemblies between adjacent girders in DPPC girder bridges, perform a preliminary study of bridge performance under multiple loading scenarios and bridge configurations, and discuss model flexibility for accommodating future field data for model verification. The spring elements have potential to represent the contribution of joint grout materials by altering the spring stiffness.

Response Modification Approach for Safe Extension of Bridge Life

A large portion of highway bridges in the United States are reaching or have reached their intended design lives. To avoid replacing a large number of bridges simultaneously, methodologies to safely extend their lives are important to help avoid high replacement costs and to schedule bridge replacement over a longer time window. This paper proposes an approach to extend the fatigue life of vulnerable steel bridges through a response modification apparatus, consisting of a mechanical amplifier and a response modification device, which provides supplemental stiffness and damping to the bridge. Because of the relatively small deflections encountered under typical service loads, the use of a mechanical amplifier allows for a smaller apparatus and enables a more efficient device to provide adequate response modification forces to the bridge. Herein, the use of a scissor jack as the mechanical amplifier is proposed for use in bridge applications, and its utility in concert with a passive stiffness device is demonstrated by application to a simple beam structure. Reductions in moment ranges of 37% and safe life extensions of 300% are achieved on a simple beam model with the proposed response modification apparatus.

Generalized Self-Driven AC–DC Synchronous Rectification Techniques for Single- and Multiphase Systems

This paper extends the single-phase self-driven synchronous rectification (SDSR) technique to multiphase ac-dc systems. Power MOSFETs with either voltage- or current-sensing self-driven gate drives are used to replace the diodes in the rectifier circuits. The generalized methodology allows multiphase SDSRs to be designed to replace the multiphase diode rectifiers. Unlike the traditional SR that is designed for high-frequency power converters, the SDSR proposed here can be a direct replacement of the power diode bridges for both low- and high-frequency operations. The SDSR utilizes its output dc voltage to supply power to its control circuit. No start-up control is needed because the body diodes of the power MOSFETs provide the diode rectifier for the initial start-up stage. The generalized method is demonstrated in 2-kW one-phase and three-phase SDSRs for inductive, capacitive, and resistive loads. Power loss reduction in the range of 50%-69% has been achieved for the resistive load.

Impact of 2008 Hurricane Ike on Bridge Infrastructure in the Houston/Galveston Region

The storm surge, wind, and waves produced by Hurricane Ike in 2008 caused notable damage to the transportation infrastructure in the Houston/Galveston region of Texas. This paper presents the lessons learned from damage to bridge infrastructure in the Houston/Galveston region observed after Hurricane Ike, with comparisons to empirical evidence from past hurricane events on common failure modes and design details affecting bridge performance under hurricane-induced loads. A rich set of damage data is developed, drawing upon postevent inspections and reconnaissance data to present details such as bridge type, failure mode, and surge elevation for the 53 damaged bridges. Many of the damaged structures in the region were either constructed of timber or were low-clearance water-crossing bridges, and these bridges were often completely destroyed by the storm surge and wave loading. Scour and debris also hampered the performance of both major structures and rural bridges. The evidence from the performance of these structures highlights the need for new design alternatives or retrofits such as the use of shear keys and restrainer cables, grated decks, or replacement of timber bridges with box-culvert structures, among other solutions.

Root-Be-Gone (41YN452): Data Recovery of Late Archaic Components in Young County, Texas Vol I

This cultural resource investigation was necessitated by the proposed bridge replacement and new right-of-way and easement along the Farm to Market road at Gages Creek crossing (CSJ: 3149-02-010) by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in southern Young County. From January 29, 2007 through March 16, 2007, an archeological crew from the Cultural Resources Department of TRC Environmental Corporation’s (TRC’s) Austin office conducted data recovery excavations in part of site 41YN452 (RootBe-Gone) before any disturbance from the planned bridge replacement activities occurred. This data recovery program was conducted under TxDOT Scientific Services Contract No. 575XX SA008 and Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4003. Data recovery investigations were conducted along the western side of the existing two-lane paved road in two areas previously documented to have high concentrations of cultural activities centered on cultural features. These two areas were identified during TRC’s 2006 site eligibility assessment, which was also conducted on adjacent site 41YN450. Only the Root-Be-Gone site was accepted as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and, therefore, subject to intensive data recovery investigations. This report provides the accepted research design that guided the analyses, describes the methods employed, discusses the excavation process, and presents detailed findings and results of technical analyses from the 50.5 m3 (144 m2) data recovery excavations for three, horizontally-separated Late and Terminal Archaic components at Root-Be-Gone. The data recovery investigations included the mechanical removal of roughly 30 to 60 cm of sediment from above a previously identified target zone, cultural materials in a buried A horizon that contained an apparent Terminal Archaic assemblage in two horizontally-separated areas. Each area was targeted by a single block excavation, labeled North and South Block, which are roughly 70 m apart and which parallel the existing right-of-way. Following the mechanical stripping to access the targeted Terminal Archaic component in the buried A horizon, hand-excavations were conducted in 1-by-1 m units in continuous blocks through the targeted buried A horizon. The target zone varied from 20 to 40 cm thick. This buried A horizon appeared to contain a single, isolated Terminal Archaic component. Root-Be-Gone (41YN452) yielded what is considered three horizontally-separate cultural components (labeled 1, 2, and 3) in the buried A horizon. This buried A horizon varied in depth from 45 to 70 cmbs. A few scattered Late Prehistoric arrow points were discovered on the surface and above the Terminal Archaic component. The younger and scattered

National Register Testing at 41HM46, Hamilton County, Texas: CR 294 Bridge Replacement at the Leon River

National Register Testing at 41HM46, Hamilton County, Texas: CR 294 Bridge Replacement at the Leon River

Real-Time Monitoring System and Advanced Characterization Technique for Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring

Real-time monitoring of civil infrastructure provides valuable information to assess the health and condition of the associated systems. This paper presents the recently developed shape acceleration array (SAA) and local system identification (SI) technique, which constitute a major step toward long-term effective health monitoring and analysis of soil and soil-structure systems. The SAA is based on triaxial micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors to measure in situ deformation (angles relative to gravity) and dynamic accelerations up to a depth of one hundred meters. This paper provides an assessment of this array's performance for geotechnical instrumentation applications by reviewing the recorded field data from a bridge replacement site and a full-scale levee test facility. The SI technique capitalizes on the abundance of static and dynamic measurements from the SAA. The geotechnical properties and constitutive response of soil contained within a locally instrumented zone are analyzed and identified independently of adjacent soil strata.

Condition Evaluation of Existing Long-Span Bridges Using Fuzzy Based Analytic Hierarchy Process

The existing long-span bridges deteriorate with time due to fatigue, overloading, corrosion and environmental effects. To date, condition evaluation of the existing long-span bridges is important to carrying out the activities related to maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of bridges. In this paper, a methodology was developed to evaluate the condition of the existing long-span bridges. The analytic hierarchy process was combined with the fuzzy synthesis. A procedure is given for condition rating of the existing long-span bridges as well. A bridge as the example is evaluated by this method and the results show that the damage of the bridge is marginal, which is same as the conclusion obtained from the traditional methods.

Shear connections in prestressed beams with precast slabs

The prefabricated bridge is an attractive system that can efficiently ease and accelerate the construction and replacement of bridges in urban areas. In order to contribute to its implementation, details of precast slabs for prestressed concrete girders were developed and static tests were conducted in order to propose design equations for the shear connection. Stirrups and stud connectors, used as shear connectors, were fabricated to insert embedded nut-type devices in prestressed concrete girders. Non-shrink mortar was adopted as a filling material in the shear pockets for the connectors. Evaluation of the shear strength developed by the shear connection considering the chemical bond, friction and mechanical connectors was performed to derive an empirical equation for the horizontal shear design of prestressed concrete girders. The presence of mechanical connectors increased the ultimate slip capacity of the shear connection so as to allow the redistribution of shear load, and the suggested details of the shear connection exhibited good performance in terms of strength and ductility. Three composite beams were tested to verify the suggested equation, which revealed that the use of the empirical equations produces a conservative design for horizontal shear of prestressed concrete beam bridges.

Regional Seismic Risk Assessment of Bridge Network in Charleston, South Carolina

This article presents the results of a seismic risk assessment of the bridge network in Charleston, South Carolina and the surrounding counties to support emergency planning efforts, and for prioritization of bridge retrofit. This study includes an inventory analysis of the approximately 375 bridges in the Charleston area, and convolution of the seismic hazard with fragility curves analytically derived for classes of bridges common to this part of the country. State-of-the-art bridge fragility curves and replacement cost estimates based on region-specific data are used to obtain economic loss estimates. The distribution of potential bridge damage and economic losses are evaluated for several scenario events in order to aid in the identification of emergency routes and assess areas for investment in retrofit. This article also evaluates the effect of uncertainty on the resulting predicted economic losses. The findings reveal that while the risk assessment is very sensitive to both the assumed fragility curves and damage ratios, the estimate of total expected economic losses is more sensitive to the vast differences in damage ratio models considered.

Efficacy of Partnering on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project: Empirical Evidence of Collaborative Problem-Solving Benefits

This paper examines the large body of partnering rating data collected during more than 8 years of partnered construction contracts on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project. The writers report that partnering efficacy, as measured by “collaboration,” was not predetermined by bid results or regional/national distinctions between construction contractors. The data show that good partnering is strongly associated with team satisfaction with budget and schedule results. The correlation among these indicators is not “proof” of the effectiveness of partnering. However, had the analysis shown negative correlations where positive correlations were expected, enthusiasm for construction partnering would certainly have suffered a blow.

National Register Testing of Site 41BT427, Burnet County, Texas

Between October 1 and October 19, 2007, archeologists from Geo-Marine, Inc., conducted National Register of Historic Places eligibility testing at site 41BT427 in Burnet County, Texas, under contract to the Texas Department of Transportation, Environmental Affairs Division. This prehistoric site was originally recorded by PBS&J during a cultural resources survey for a proposed bridge replacement project at the North Rocky Creek crossing of FM 963 (CSJ 1198-02-017). During that investigation, the site was initially identified by a series of three trenches located on the northeastern quadrant of the right-of-way. Three small, burned rock features were originally recorded in two of the trenches. During the current project by Geo-Marine, the bridge replacement area was again investigated. Thirteen trenches were dug within the project area: nine survey trenches in the northwest, southwest, and southeast quadrants outside the known boundary of site 41BT427, and four trenches within the site itself in the northeast quadrant. The current investigation within site 41BT427 involved the mechanical excavation of the four trenches (29.5 linear meters) and the hand excavation of eight test units (8.94 cubic meters) within the site boundary (an additional test unit was excavated south of the site boundary). Only one definable cultural component was identified at site 41BT427. This site appears to represent an ephemeral, short-term camp with a very sparse material signature. No diagnostic material was recovered during excavation. The single feature identified consisted of a very small, disarticulated cluster of six burned rocks and a limited amount of cultural material. The general lack of cultural material and feature/artifact associations within the site hampers the ability to draw conclusions regarding site function and prehistoric activity. Due to the low artifact density and the lack of cultural features, site 41BT427 does not have the potential to make significant contributions to the knowledge of the region. Thus, site 41BT427 fails to meet the standards of Criterion D or any other significance standard required for assessing National Register eligibility. Site 41BT427 is recommended not eligible for National Register inclusion, and no further archeological investigations are recommended. In addition to site testing, survey trenching (as well as an additional test unit) within the remaining three quadrants that was not completed during the initial PBS&J cultural resources survey was conducted as a part of this Geo-Marine investigation. Based on trench observations and background research, this proposed borrow area is highly unlikely to contain archeological historic properties (36 CFR

One-Weekend Job

As part of a national initiative sponsored by FHWA under the Highways for LIFE program, the Utah Department of Transportation (DOT) was awarded a $1 million grant to demonstrate the use of proven, innovative technologies for accelerated bridge removal and replacement. This report documents accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques used to remove and replace the 4500 South Bridge on State Route 266 over Interstate 215 in Salt Lake City during a weekend. It includes construction details of the bridge superstructure built offsite on temporary abutments and prefabricated and cast-in-place bridge components and substructure built under the existing bridge without interfering with traffic flow. It also discusses use of a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) to remove the old bridge and to replace it with a new one. With conventional construction, the impact of this project on the traveling public was estimated at 120 days, but with accelerated construction techniques the impact was reduced to a single weekend for I-215 and 10 days for State Route 266. Using an SPMT and other ABC techniques added about $0.81 million to the initial construction cost of the project. However, a more comprehensive economic analysis including user cost savings shows that the project saved road users about $3.24 million (or about 36% of the total project costs). Because of the success of this project, the Utah DOT has decided to use ABC techniques more routinely in future projects and has set a goal of making ABC standard practice for all bridges by 2010.

National Register Testing at 41BQ285, Bosque County, Texas: FM 56 Bridge Replacement at the North Bosque River

Prewitt and Associates, Inc., conducted archeological test excavations at 41BQ285 in June 2006 for the Texas Department of Transportation under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4102. Site 41BQ285, in southeastern Bosque County, was located during an archeological survey for the proposed replacement of the FM 56 bridge over the North Bosque River. It is a prehistoric campsite buried in a cumulic soil in the upper deposits of a late Holocene alluvial terrace. Mechanical excavations consisted of re-opening four backhoe trenches from the survey phase followed by hand excavation of six 1x1-m test units. This work identified three burned rock features and yielded a moderate amount of materials, including projectile points and bifaces, pottery sherds, unmodified debitage, vertebrate faunal remains, and freshwater mussel shells. Diagnostic artifacts and five radiocarbon ages indicate that the site has a lower but rather ephemeral Late Archaic component and an upper and more substantial Late Prehistoric component. The Late Prehistoric component yielded Perdiz arrow points and ceramics, and it is radiocarbon dated to between a.d. 1280 and 1650. The evidence suggests a series of relatively short occupations and a focus on the use of local resources. Site activities included late-stage biface reduction and bifacial tool production, tool resharpening, and the exploitation and intensive processing of deer. Foodstuffs were processed and prepared using bifacial tools, ground and battered stone tools, rock-lined cooking basins, and small ceramic jars and bowls. The Late Prehistoric component is Toyah-like in many ways, but the small sample size and nature of the materials preclude assigning it a specific sociocultural group or archeological phase. Of particular interest are the five pottery sherds—two plain, two fingernail punctate, and one engraved sherd from a carinated bowl with a Caddo-like design. Geochemical analysis indicates that none of the pottery, including the engraved bowl sherd, matches any Caddo-made pottery from East Texas. The fact that a Caddo vessel form and decorative style appears on pottery that was probably made in or near Bosque County is interesting and adds a new dynamic to our understanding of the Toyah phenomenon in central Texas. The portion of site 41BQ285 within FM 56 is considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or for designation as a State Archeological Landmark (SAL). However, current investigations already recovered most of the Late Prehistoric component within the spatially limited project area, and additional investigations inside the highway right of way cannot reasonably be expected to contribute any more significant archeological information. Therefore, no further fieldwork is recommended, and construction should be allowed to proceed.