DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDIZED BRIDGE SYSTEMS

More than a quarter of the nearly 600,000 bridges in the United States are either structurally deficient (cannot support their design loads) or functionally obsolete (cannot handle current traffic volumes or vehicle sizes safely and efficiently). The billions of dollars spent on repairs by various state and federal agencies have helped, but have not alleviated the overall problem. It is not uncommon in parts of Alabama to find school buses being driven extra distances to avoid bridges that have been "posted" as structurally deficient. This problem is serious for both on- and off-system bridges. Counties are especially hard hit and are grappling with issues of safety and aging bridges. Agencies need better tools to manage their bridge systems. These tools should address better and more-rapid bridge rating, funding decision methodologies, and methods for rapid design and construction of bridges. The focus of this research effort was the development of a computer-aided tool that facilitates selection of standardized bridge systems for rapid design and replacement or construction of bridges. The availability of standardized systems and the ability to access information on these systems can significantly enhance the capabilities of bridge design professionals at the state, region and local levels.

• Record URL:
  http://utca.eng.ua.edu/research/projects/?id=02306
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Date on documentation page: April 2003; Date on cover and title page: March 31, 2004.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Alabama, Huntsville

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Huntsville, AL  United States  35899

  University Transportation Center for Alabama

  University of Alabama
  Tuscaloosa, AL  United States  35487
• Authors:
  • Gopu, V
• Publication Date: 2003-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aging (Materials); Bridge design; Computer aided design; Construction; Counties; Financing; Highway bridges; Safety; Standardization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge rating
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00974989
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UTCA Report 02306
• Contract Numbers: HPP-1602(524)
• Files: UTC, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 2004 12:00AM