EVALUATION OF SEVEN ALUMINUM HIGHWAY BRIDGES AFTER TWO TO THREE DECADES OF SERVICE

Between 1948 and 1963 six aluminum highway bridges were erected in the United States and one was erected in Canada for highway overpasses and river crossings on Interstates and state highways. Girder types used vary from conventional built-up I and box to more radical triangular cross sections. Either riveting or welding was used depending on the structure. Recent reports from several owners and designers indicate that the performance of these bridges, particularly their corrosion resistance, is outstanding. This fact, coupled with the awesome number of obsolete bridges on the nation's roads and the impetus given to the Bridge Replacement Program by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, resulted in a survey of the seven aluminum bridges in 1983. The results of this survey--based on inspection data provided by state highway officials--illustrate how the corrosion resistance of the alloys selected and how the design, details, test, construction, and erection methods employed are being verified by excellent performance in the field. Aluminum provides the bridge engineer and owner with a proven construction material for bridges where light weight and a long maintenance-free life are required.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/950/950v1-018.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EVALUATION+OF+SEVEN+ALUMINUM+HIGHWAY+BRIDGES+AFTER+TWO+TO+THREE+DECADES+OF+SERVICE&author=G.+Alison&publication_year=1984
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record Number 950, Volume 1, Second Bridge Engineering Conference conducted by the Transportation Research Board and the Federal Highway Administration, September 24-26, 1984. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on General Structures. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Alison, Gordon A
• Conference:
  • Bridge Engineering Conference, 2nd, 1984, Washington, DC, USA
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 123-129
• Monograph Title: Second bridge engineering conference. volumes 1 and 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 950
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum alloys; Bridge design; Bridges; Construction; Corrosion resistance; Girders; Highway bridges; Performance evaluations; Rivets; Service life; Structural design; Weldments; Zero maintenance systems
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390855
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03090036593
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM