Performance of Existing ABC Projects: Inspection Case Studies (Florida International University)
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) employs prefabricated bridge elements moved to the bridge location and installed in place. Accordingly, ABC reduces many uncertainties associated with construction processes and performance during service life. It also improves the life cycle cost by reducing construction time and traffic interruptions, better control over schedule, and normally by the higher quality of elements resulting in better life-cycle performance. Nevertheless, prefabricated elements need to be made continuous using cast-in-place joints. ABC “closure joints” connecting deck elements to each other and to the bridge girders have greater exposure to degrading environmental effects, and often there is more focus on their evaluation. These joints, expected to become serviceable quickly can therefore be viewed as critical elements of the ABC bridges. Instances of defective (leaky) joints have been reported, and concerns have been raised about the long-term durability of the joints. The long-term deflections and environmental loading can only exacerbate this situation. These may overshadow the many advantages of ABC specifically as life-cycle performance and costs are concerned. Hence, there have been questions on the long-term performance of ABC bridges. There have been limited investigations by some states to monitor the ABC bridges for determining their performance. ABC-UTC, through a collaborative effort by partner universities, is planning to embark on a coordinated and extensive inspection program to inspect several bridges in various states. The inspection protocol will be prepared by ISU, and all five partner universities will inspect a minimum of two bridges in their respective state. The results will be compiled and published on ABC-UTC website and will become available to outside users and researchers. The primary objective of this project is to collect much needed information on performance of two in-service ABC bridges. It is envisioned that inspection will include routine visual inspection, special inspection of certain details, and application of NDT methods wherever needed. The results will be compiled in a format for effective recording and will be reported accordingly.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Funding: $30000
-
Contract Numbers:
69A3551747121
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
Florida International University
10555 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL United States 33174 -
Performing Organizations:
Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
Florida International University
10555 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL United States 33174 -
Principal Investigators:
Mehrabi, Armin
- Start Date: 20190301
- Expected Completion Date: 20201231
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Case studies; Inspection
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01700447
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
- Contract Numbers: 69A3551747121
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Mar 30 2019 3:16PM