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Survey of Current Research Topics -- Railroad Bridges and Structural Engineering

The objective of this article is to summarize the results of a new survey-based study about current research interests related to railroad bridges and structural engineering. The study was planned and conducted in 2009 and 2010 in order to help prioritize railroad bridge structural engineering research topics. The results of the survey were divided into four categories. The first category is Railroad Bridge Design, which includes: longitudinal force distribution effects on both super- and sub-structure; high speed traffic effects on existing and new railroad bridges; long span bridge design, new analytical tools and opportunities; upgrading of live load from the current Cooper E80 design load; bridge approach improvements and new designs for durable bridge approaches; impact force in railroad bridges, estimates and new experiments; and transitioning from 286 kips/axle and effects on railroad bridges. The second category is Road Bridge Construction and Maintenance, which includes: member replacement prioritization in the field; rapid bridge replacement practice and new techniques; robustness estimation of existing railroad bridges; current practices to extend the life of railroad bridges; and economic approach to railroad bridge replacements. The third category is Railroad Bridge Management, which includes: field inspections for railroad bridges, current problems and solutions; bridge instrumentation and data collection, past present and future opportunities, railroad bridge rating, current challenges and possible solutions; and maintenance of timber railroad bridges in North America. The fourth category is Other Possible Research Topics, which includes: study of new materials for railroad bridges, present and future; load and resistance factor design adaption for the design of new railroad bridges; development of new steel bridge standard design sections for given span lengths; finding and estimating railroad bridge damage (local damage detection); fatigue in railroad bridges, current topics and research opportunities; and seismic studies and topics related to railroad bridges in the United States. The article describes how railroad bridges are a cost to railroad companies and the main role of the railroad bridge structural engineer is to use all available resources to maintain a safe network within a limited budget. Structural engineers need to have the ability to assess the performance of railroad bridges in the field under real railroad traffic and allow objective decision-making for bridge network assessment. The article identifies real-time displacement measurements under live loads as a top research need today. The article concludes that railroad bridge field assessment could improve the economics of bridge inspection and maintenance operations and also substantially benefit new bridge construction control and more generally, bridge replacement prioritization. The article describes how future research should be directed at implementing efficient decision-making tools that can assist the railroad bridge industry in prioritizing railroad bridge replacements. Specifically, bridge response monitoring (especially of displacement under load) can provide structural engineers with ways to efficiently determine what bridges and/or bridge elements to replace first with a limited budget.

  • Availability:
  • Authors:
    • Moreu, Fernando
    • LaFave, James M
  • Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 65-66, 68, 70
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01352808
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 28 2011 9:28AM