Bridge Reconstruction Research Articles

Present methods of reconstruction of road bridges – examples of solutions

The article presents examples of contemporary methods of reconstruction of existing bridges. It describes the reconstruction of the bridge over the steel culvert and conversion of the bridge plate on the integrated bridge.

Seasonal Growth and Development of the Subarctic Plant Honckenya peploides Subsp. Robusta (Caryophyllaceae) On Niantic Bay, Connecticut, USA

Abstract Three populations of a state-listed species of special concern, Honckenya peploides subsp. robusta, were investigated on the north shore of Niantic Bay, Connecticut, over two growing seasons. Information was developed for a plant conservation plan as part of a railroad bridge reconstruction project. In situ description of this subdioecious subarctic species included the density and distribution of plants growing in sand and shingle habitats. The seasonal timings of emergence, early growth, maturity, senescence, and dormancy were established for the plants at this location. Growth rate was most rapid immediately following emergence in April, slowed during flowering in May, increased again in June, and declined thereafter. A rust fungus not previously known to use H. peploides as an aecial host was documented. All three populations of H. peploides were comprised of male plants—an extreme case of spatial segregation of the sexes. One male plant produced only a few seed pods, indicating that local se...

Finite element simulation prior to reconstruction of a steel railway bridge to reduce structure-borne noise

As part of the reconstruction of a railway bridge across the river Danube, numerical simulations were carried out during the planning stages of the project in order to investigate factors which play an important role in the radiation of structure-borne noise. The parameter studies centred around two possible construction techniques for the new bridge: an orthotropic steel deck with ballasted track, versus a composite bridge with a pre-stressed concrete deck plate and an embedded rail system. The aim was to find the optimum solution in terms of structural vibration and thus reduce resonance effects which are perceived more strongly than for tracks at-grade, as the vibration of bridge components adds to the rolling noise. Seeing as rail tracks are increasingly built in densely populated areas, this problem has become a core issue during environmental impact assessments. The results acquired from the material and structural modelling described herein were successfully implemented in the Tulln railway bridge in Lower Austria, alongside other noise-reducing measures such as sound barriers and rail grinding.

Benefits of Geographic Information Systems in Managing a Major Transportation Program

This paper presents the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in the support of a major state transportation program and discusses the lessons learned on the improvement of future results. The review is based on the results of a benefit–cost (BC) analysis that showed overall positive returns as well as areas in which effectiveness could be improved. In 2004, the Oregon Department of Transportation (DOT) contracted with the Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners (OBDP) to manage a $1.3 billion bridge repair and reconstruction program known as the Oregon Transportation Investment Act III State Bridge Delivery Program. GIS was integral to the information strategy deployed in the management of the program. In 2010, in a review of the GIS and other information technology systems, the Oregon DOT and OBDP jointly conducted a BC analysis of the impact of these systems on the bridge program. The agencies found a positive rate of return, generally, for all information technology systems and for GIS systems taken as a group. For maximum benefit from these systems to be achieved in support of major programs, the agencies found the following factors important to consider: timing, flexibility, compatibility with other system architecture, integration with the standards of project owners and contractors, and compatibility with contract and legal obligations. Although the technology itself had proved successful, the program showed that an integrated strategy was essential to realize the maximum potential value of GIS.

Study on the Development of Bridge Detection Vehicle Test

Bridge construction is the national important foundation construction of bridge engineering, is the relationship between society and economy to coordinate development of lifeline engineering. Bridge construction of rapid development, huge capital investment, the economic society of the prominent role, making it to the bridge's safety, durability, more and more attention. Based on the analysis of detection results of existing bridges, bridge on the future work state of speculation, pointed out the possible development trend for the future to provide advice, bridge maintenance. As the bridge reinforcement and reconstruction to provide accurate and comprehensive data.

Features of the monitoring system and the physical condition of urban bridges

Abstract, the main features of urban bridge, structure are presented. The proposals concerning specialized management creation for exploitation, maintenance and reconstruction of bridges are developed. The essence of the new approach designed for the change of urban bridge structures physical state assessment system is stated.

The profiled flooring is used during the reconstruction and repair of small bridges

The review of plate span structures constructions is carried out. The perspectiveness of application of plate span structures with outer reinforcement in the form of profiled steel sheets is paid attention to. The distributive capacity of plate span structures with application of profiled steel sheets is investigated.

Application of Gpr During Investigation Concerning Causes of Failure of Railway Station Platform in Jilešovice / Využití Gpr Při Zjišťování Příčin Porušení Nástupiště Nádraží V Jilešovicích

Abstract Civil engineering works carried out as the renovation of existing buildings can be difficult to predict in terms of their behaviour over time. The heterogeneity of materials of a natural and anthropogenic origin can subsequently lead to either deformations, or breach threatening the existence of building structure in terms of statics. The platform of the station in Jilešovice underwent structural modifications within the reconstruction of the railway track from Ostrava to Opava. The largest building intervention was the reconstruction of an old bridge and adjacent embankment bodies now in addition secured due to stability by gabion baskets instead of the original natural grading. After a short time of its use, significant deformations appeared on the renovated object, whose causes and further evolution over time was not known. Within the design of investigation techniques, allowing uncovering the causes of violation quickly and efficiently, the survey with a georadar -GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) was included, which as an indirect, non-destructive method of survey very quickly helped to clarify the causes of violations of the building structures

Load testing of 30-year-old AASHTO Type III highway bridge girders

As part of a bridge reconstruction project in Florida, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Type III girders were salvaged from an almost 30-year-old bridge. This paper reports on load tests that were conducted on these girders. Specimens were tested in three-point bending at shear span–to–depth ratios (a/d) ranging from 1.2 to 5.4. The age of the structure, lack of confinement steel, performance of horizontal and vertical mild steel in the end region, presence of end diaphragms, and the combination precast/cast-in-place concrete bridge deck were considered in the testing. The results gave no indication of reduced capacity or performance due to age or exposure. Girders tested with short shear spans (a/d < 3.1) exhibited a bond-shear failure mode categorized by cracks in the strand development zone, slipping of the strands, and failure to reach moment capacity. Mild steel reinforcement in the end region improved the capacity by 25% beyond the point where strand slip was detected. The single girder tested with an a/d of 5.4 failed in flexure. One of the two girders tested with an a/d of 4.2 exhibited abrupt bond-shear failure, while the other exhibited abrupt shear-compression failure. Experimental capacities were compared with sectional models, strut-and-tie models, and the end-region requirement for longitudinal reinforcement in the AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design specifications. The sectional models predicted generally conservative shear capacities. No adverse effects from the bridge deck system were observed.

Trinitrotoluene Explosive Lights up Ultrahigh Raman Scattering of Nonresonant Molecule on a Top-Closed Silver Nanotube Array

The highest Raman enhancement factors are obtained in a double resonance: molecular electronic resonance and plasmon resonance with a "hot spot" in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). However, for most molecules of interest the double resonance is not realized with the excitation frequencies normally used in Raman. The latter may limit the practical applications of SERS for trace analysis. Here, we report that Raman-inactive trinitrotoluene (TNT) lights up the ultrahigh Raman scattering of off-resonated p-aminobenzenethiol (PABT) through the formation of charge-transfer TNT-PABT complex on the top-closed flexible silver nanotube array. Raman hot spots can spontaneously form in a reversible way by the self-approaching of flexible nanotubes driven through the capillary force of solvent evaporation. Meanwhile, the PABT-TNT-PABT bridges between self-approaching silver nanotubes possibly form by the specific complexing and zwitterion interactions, and the resultant chromophores can absorb the visible light that matches with the incident laser and the localized surface plasmon of a silver nanotube array. The multiple spectral resonances lead to the huge enhancement of Raman signals of PABT molecules due to the presence of ultratrace TNT. The enhancement effect is repeatedly renewable by the reconstruction of molecular bridges and can selectively detect TNT with a limit of 1.5 × 10(-17) M. The results in this report provide the simple and supersensitive approach to the detection of TNT explosives and the possibility of building a robust Raman-based assay platform.

The Connection Form of New-Built and Existing Bridge Effect on Transverse Distribution of Vehicle Load

Connection the upper components and disconnection the other components is widely used in the expressway hollow slab bridge widening and reconstruction. How to design the transverse joint between newly-built and existing bridges is a key problem in the renovation of prestressed concrete bridges. In this paper, combined with a freeway widening project, 2 kinds of different connection forms were compared by their transverse distribution influence lines, which were calculated by finite element method. The results show that the new and old bridges are working together after widening, which makes vehicle loads of the slabs of the old bridge are reduced, especially the side slab of old bride which was next to the slab of newly-built bridge dropped by nearly 50%. So the bridge widening strengthens the safety of old bridge. And the weak connection of the bridge is always the connection of newly-built bridge and existing bridge, which is accorded with practical situation. So the particular attention should be given to the connection. It provides a basis for widening the old bridge and a reference for widening and maintenance the same kind of bridges.

Ride Matching Using K-means Method: Case Study of Gazela Bridge in Belgrade, Serbia

Transport networks in many cities are generally very seriously congested. Consequently, travel time, number of stops, unexpected delays, transport costs, level of air pollution, noise, and traffic accidents are increased. In addition to daily congestion, there may be congestion and traffic jams as a consequence of reconstruction of the roads’ lanes. During the past decade, different strategies for transport demand management have been developed, with the aim to decrease existing traffic congestion. One of the available strategies is a ride matching (sharing) concept. This strategy means that several participants share only one private car when traveling from origin to destination. A model for grouping drivers into cars for ride matching, according to similarities of a place of living and working, working hours, and type of car license plate, is developed in this paper. The writers apply the ride matching concept on congested traffic during the reconstruction of the main bridge in Belgrade, Serbia, which i...

Reconstrução de ponte nasal com tela de titânio após exérese tumoral em um cão

O presente trabalho relata o uso de tela de titânio como alternativa para reconstrução do defeito ósseo criado pela ressecção agressiva de carcinoma de células escamosas da ponte nasal em cão. Após o tratamento quimioterápico com 5-fluorouracil tópico e sistêmico associado à piroxicam para a redução da massa tumoral, foi realizada a ressecção cirúrgica da região comprometida e reparo do defeito ósseo com tela de titânio e posterior recobrimento com retalho músculo-cutâneo unipediculado de avanço. A principal complicação no período pós-operatório foi a formação de enfisema subcutâneo, controlado em três dias com drenagem do ar e aplicação de bandagens compressivas. O animal permaneceu sem sinais de recidiva por oito meses. No décimo mês pós-operatório, o paciente apresentou miíase no local da recidiva e a proprietária optou pela eutanásia. Com esse caso, foi possível concluir que a tela de titânio foi um material adequado para a reconstrução da ponte nasal, tendo como principal complicação a ocorrência de enfisema subcutâneo.

An Application of Prefabricated Steel Deck to Bridge Reconstruction and Pield Testing

An Application of Prefabricated Steel Deck to Bridge Reconstruction and Pield Testing

교량의 재가설 공사기간에 따른 사용자비용 평가

교량구조물은 사회물류흐름에 필요한 중요한 역할을 하는 사회간접시설물로 공용수명이 다하거나 지진, 폭풍 등의 자연재해에 따라 구조물의 손상이 발생할 경우 기존 교량을 철거하고 재가설 하여야 한다. 공용중인 교량을 재가설할 경우, 차량의 우회, 교통체증에 따른 사용자비용과 공사기간동안의 소음, 분진 등에 따른 사회비용이 발생하게 된다. 하지만 교량의 재가설에 따른 사용자비용과 사회비용은 교량건설시 고려되지 않고, 이를 평가하는 방법 또한 모호하므로 이를 적용한 교량형식이 선정되지 못하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 교량의 재가설시 발생되는 사회적 간접비용, 즉 사용자의 사회적, 경제적 가치를 파악하여 교량 재가설에 따른 사용자비용의 평가방법을 제안하고 이를 평가하였다. 사용자비용의 평가 시 교량의 일교통량, 첨두시간, 우회거리, 우회시간 등을 포함한 교통정보와 사회적 물동량이 고려되었으며, 차량운행비용과 교량 재가설에 따른 시간지연비용 또한 고려되었다. As critical infrastructure, bridges play an indispensable role in facilitating the distribution of goods. When bridges reach their end of useful life or get damaged by natural disasters such as earthquakes or storms, they have to be removed and reconstructed. When bridges in service need to be reconstructed, user costs occur from vehicle detours and traffic congestions, and social costs occur from noise and dust during construction periods. However, these user and social costs are not considered during reconstruction and the evaluation methods of those costs are vague. Thus, there is lack of appropriate bridge types that consider these costs. Therefore, this paper identifies the social overhead costs that occur during bridge reconstruction, which is also called, users' socioeconomic values. Next, it proposes a method to evaluate user costs during bridge reconstruction, and appraises the method. User costs are evaluated based on traffic information, social and material volumes including the bridge's daily traffic volume, peak hours, detour distance and time. In addition, time delay costs due to traffic operational costs and bridge reconstruction are also taken into consideration.

Planning, Design, and Construction of Low-Cost Roads and Bridge Accessibility

The goal of donors in poor countries and in countries after conflicts and natural disasters has been to restore safe road accessibility, create employment, and build the local capacity of road infrastructure management. The paper presents the engineering considerations and the socioeconomic outcomes of low-cost road and bridge improvement and maintenance projects that have been planned and implemented at various locations around the world. The 2008 Haitian rainy season caused a complete collapse of the transport system, including the Ennery Bridge, as well as major crop destruction. The U.S. Agency for International Development supported the Haitian government to accelerate the restoration of safe accessibility over the Ennery River by building a 60-m two-lane ford in 2 months in 2009. In southern Sudan, demining work along priority roads had to be completed before the implementation of basic engineering activities needed to develop effective road improvement work. Low-volume road projects in Latin America demonstrated that hundreds of community-based microenterprises can produce effective road maintenance services on more than 15,000 km of unpaved roads at an average cost of $700/km/year. In the Central African Republic, the low cost of reconstruction of roads and timber-deck bridges was essential to the provision of affordable accessibility.

Highway Construction Productivity Measurement with a Wireless Real-Time Productivity Measurement System

Improving the quality of construction schedules calls for development of an advanced productivity measurement system. Existing on-site construction productivity measurement methods have some common limitations, such as not providing data necessary for engineers and project managers to conduct real-time analyses and share data with other project participants. A wireless real-time productivity measurement (WRITE) system was developed to address those shortfalls. The field experiment was conducted at two different stages: asphalt paving projects, including hot-mix asphalt and hot-in-place recycling, and a bridge reconstruction project. Productivity data collected from the WRITE system were also compared with productivity data collected from construction documents, such as contractors' daily logs and pay estimate documents, to identify the feasibility of this system for measuring the performance of construction projects. For data analyses, statistical methods such as normality test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. The result of statistical analyses proved that the developed system generated identical productivity measurements compared with the stopwatch method and construction documents. The success of this research project made several major contributions to the advancement of the construction industry. First, the research advanced the application of wireless technology in highway construction operations. Second, it provided an advanced technology for engineers and project managers to determine productivity in real time. Third, productivity data can be shared between project participants via the Internet. With these advancements, communication and coordination will be improved at construction sites. Consequently, the WRITE system will enhance owners' and contractors' ability to manage construction projects.

Footbridge Studenci over the Drava River in Maribor, Slovenia

The paper presents the design and construction of the new footbridge Studenci over the Drava River in Maribor. In 2004, the City of Maribor issued an open, anonymous national call for proposals for the reconstruction of the old bridge. In spite of the fact that it was an existing bridge that was to be reconstructed, the new bridge appeared in a new, entirely different, contemporary image. The existing old bridge structure of two steel I-shaped girders with concrete deck was replaced by a new, steel, transparent, space truss structure, with a wooden deck and linear LED illumination. Only the supports from the old bridge were preserved and these also were reconstructed and strengthened. The 'structural solution' as presented in this paper, received a Footbridge Award in 2008.

The Village Garage (review)

Reviewed by: The Village Garage Elizabeth Bush Karas, G. Brian . The Village Garage; written and illus. by G. Brian Karas. Ottaviano/Holt, 2010. [32p]. ISBN 978-0-8050-8716-1 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys R 4-8 yrs There's no rest for the weary in this small-town public works department. Spring is cleanup time, when dead branches are gathered and mulched. Summer brings on pothole patching, and even some bridge reconstruction after a particularly heavy rainstorm. In fall, the "elephant truck" that sucks up leaves is on the prowl. Just when the winter crew thinks they'll get some downtime, the snow blows in and the plows roll out. A little boy and his dog are never far from the action, fascinated—as will be the audience—by the specialized vehicles and machinery that keep the village in good trim, and by the spontaneous playfulness with which the crew lighten their workload: splashing under the truck-wash hose, riding the front-end loader at a July 4th party, playing cards and singing karaoke in the staff room. Any kid who's clapped eyes on a Karas illustration will recognize the style: spidery pencil lines robustly filled with textured gouache, and round-headed figures that could have been plucked from Charlie Brown's family tree. Select this as a seasons book, a community helpers book, or just a behind-the-scenes tour of Anywhere, USA. [End Page 486] Copyright © 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Real-time Traveler Information Performance Measures for Work Zone Congestion Management

This study evaluates the use of an advanced traveler information system (ATIS) to promote the use of alternative routes and improve local road network performance during work projects. The ATIS system was implemented on a four-lane divided highway in Edgerton, Wisconsin during a bridge reconstruction. Field comparisons between ATIS presence and absence showed different diversion patterns in northbound and southbound directions associated with traffic delay. Drivers remained on the freeway when the displayed delay was less than 15 minutes while more drivers chose to leave the freeway with displayed delay greater than or equal to 15 minutes. A linear regression analysis showed that freeway volume, ramp exiting volume during normal days, and delay time were significant variables associated with a high diversion rate. The ATIS also was shown to perform effectively in increasing the work zone operational capacity.