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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Center for the Aging Infrastructure: Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training and Education Engineering Center - SBRITE (Continuation)

As infrastructure continues to age, the engineers who designed and had first-hand knowledge of the then new structures (e.g., the Interstate era), eventually exit the workforce. Further, engineering programs, research, and associated coursework move forward and evolve over time. Obviously, these advances in education are essential to progress with new designs and new materials. However, the vast majority of the infrastructure is comprised of structures built with older materials, design philosophies, and construction practices that are no longer discussed in the classroom. The average age of a steel bridge in Indiana is about 50 years, and similar statistics are found throughout the US. Further, most of the major “landmark” river crossings are steel structures that are approaching or exceeded their design lives. A quick review of the brides crossing the Ohio, Hudson, or Mississippi Rivers provides stark reminders of the age of our infrastructure. Unfortunately, in many cases, this has left these critical structures effectively abandoned when it comes to ensuring their “healthcare” professionals are adequately trained. Clearly, a well rounded workforce must include engineers prepared to design the structures of the future working hand-in-hand with engineers prepared to maintain the structures of the past. To successfully maintain the existing steel bridge inventory, expertise is needed in the areas of deterioration, fatigue, fracture, corrosion, repair/retrofit, coatings, materials, NDE, riveting, welding, fabrication, etc. There are multiple reasons for this loss of expertise, including budget cuts, natural attrition, and a diminishing pool of technical expertise related to aging infrastructure. Regardless of the cause, the effects are clearly seen in DOTs across the United States. Some of these needs must be addressed through new research, while others can be addressed through improved training. In some select cases, individual experts are needed for specific consultation in order to solve unique complex problems. Utilizing some of Purdue’s existing strengths in education and research, the S-BRITE Center will continue to engage faculty and engineers from around the country in order to explore partnership opportunities in training and research. Finally, a “Distributed Expertise Network” (DEN), which includes specific experts from inside and outside of Purdue will be created to assist partners with specific complex problems. The S-BRITE Center will fill a growing need in the transportation industry as relates to existing and aging steel bridges. The objective of the proposal is to request a continuation of SPR-5(281) the Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training, and Education Engineering Center (S-BRITE Engineering Center) focused on existing steel highway bridges. This National Center when initially proposed in 2013, has become a national Center leading education, training, research, and engineering benefitting the existing aging steel bridge and structure inventory. Over the life of the project, ten (10) states, the US Army Corps, and FHWA have provided support through TPF-5(281) and continue to do so. Current funding is very strong and partner states continue to be added. Although the Center has been focused on highway bridges, it will also support stakeholders of steel railroad bridges as well as steel ancillary structures, such as lighting towers and sign supports. As a result, in-kind support from the railway industry has been strong as well. The Center has contributed to improved asset management decisions for DOTs, FHWA, and other partners relative to existing steel bridge inventory. However, since the existing TPF-5(281) needs to sunset per FHWA guidelines, the Research Team, and the current active partners are requesting a continuation of this pooled fund study, albeit under a different TPF number. The original project objectives and deliverables remain unchanged.

Language

  • English

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Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01788167
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
  • Contract Numbers: TPF-5(486)
  • Files: RIP, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Nov 17 2021 2:16PM