REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROUTE 198 BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON PARKWAY BRIDGE. FINAL REPORT

On August 31, 1989, falsework supporting the Maryland Route 198 eastbound bridge over the southbound Baltimore-Washington Parkway collapsed during concrete placement. The bridge design and contract administration were being provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (Federal Lands Division). The Final Report concludes that in all probability the falsework collapsed because the top screw jacks used by the contractor to construct the falsework were smaller than those required by the approved falsework plans. Other contributing factors were smaller than required cross-bracing; a skewed shoring tower arrangement; excess blocking; an intermingling of components from several manufacturers; and a general lack of longitudinal cross support between the towers. Rust and deterioration could have contributed to the collapse.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1989-12-28

Media Info

• Pagination: 772 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blocking; Bracing; Collapse; Concrete construction; Concrete placing; Crash causes; Crash investigation; Deterioration; Failure; Falsework; Highway bridges; Shoring; Structural supports
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contributing factors; Cross bracing
• Old TRIS Terms: Supports
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494496
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/PR-90/001
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM