Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Methodology for Integral Abutments
Building on a previous bridge substructure project, the proposed research will advance the accelerated bridge construction method for integral bridge abutments supported on steel piles and constructed using prefabricated and in-situ concrete along with other advanced construction techniques (3D printing) and materials as appropriate. The weight of the prefabricated members will be reduced using hollow or shell elements, which in turn will improve both construction tolerances and constructability. The hollow sections will be filled with in-situ concrete. The piles will be designed with temporary collars, which will eliminate the need to wait for the concrete to cure before continuing with the assembly of the abutment and placement of the girders. The proposed research, funded jointly by the California Department of Transportation, will include two large-scale outdoor test units, which will incorporate both vertical and battered steel piles. One test unit will model an integral abutment while the second unit will replicate a seat type abutment with other details. The testing of the system will incorporate service level and extreme loads and ensure dependable performance of the new system and its components. As part of the testing program, the performance of the abutments will be examined systematically. Analytical models will be developed to replicate the observed performance of the test unit, the components and the connections. Using the combination of analytical and experimental observations and findings from the previous phase of the project, appropriate design recommendations will be developed for improving bridge construction.
Language
- English
Project
- Funding: $680,000.00
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Contract Numbers:
TR-803
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Sponsor Organizations:
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA United States 50010 -
Managing Organizations:
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA United States 50010 -
Project Managers:
Goetz, Vanessa
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Performing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research and Education
2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
Ames, IA United States 50010-8664 -
Principal Investigators:
Sikorsky, Charles
- Start Date: 20211214
- Expected Completion Date: 20250228
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Accelerated bridge construction; Bridge abutments; Bridge design; Concrete construction; Pile foundations
- Geographic Terms: Iowa
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01945644
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Iowa Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: TR-803
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Feb 12 2025 6:06PM