Clustering Multi-Span Bridges in Vermont for Flooding Hazards

During severe storm events, bridge safety is threatened by flooding hazards, including increased hydraulic pressures and water-borne debris, such as large woody debris buildups, which could exacerbate the scour for bridge foundations. To evaluate and identify possible bridge damages and vulnerabilities during flooding events, it is necessary to evaluate bridge resilience on a regional level. However, existing bridge vulnerability models are typically focused on a single bridge type and cannot effectively scale to larger areas that could include various bridge types. To balance high-fidelity models with the need for simplified, scalable models, bridges can be classified based on key characteristics. However, there are no robust guidelines for determining appropriate bridge classifications and the corresponding most representative features. A clustering-based approach is used to determine the optimal classification of bridges for vulnerability analysis to flood-related hazards. The K-prototype algorithm is utilized to consider both categorical data and numerical data. A case study is conducted for multi-span bridges over active waterways in Vermont. The results unveil the bridges can be optimally classified into six major clusters: short, medium, and long-span steel, concrete tee-beams and culverts, and covered wooden bridges. The most representative bridges are selected for further analysis of their vulnerability to large woody debris buildup. Based on the upstream area which could serve as a potential debris supplier and the average height of trees within this area. This model may be used by bridge asset managers, local and state governments, and other related decision-makers to inform bridge vulnerability and maintenance strategies.

• Record URL:
  • https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/OnlineProgram/Details/21032
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AKT50 Standing Committee on Bridge and Structures Management.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Anantharaman, Sreeram
  • Matile, Steven
  • Hughes, William
  • Chattopadhyay, Indrani
  • Zhang, Wei
  • Ravishanker, Nalini
  • Malla, Ramesh
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 103rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2024-1-7 to 2024-1-11
• Date: 2024

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Durability; Floods; Highway safety; Scour
• Geographic Terms: Vermont
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01908540
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRBAM-24-05322
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 20 2024 9:16AM