Taming Oregon's Cracked Bridges

In 2001, the state of Oregon discovered that hundreds of its Interstate-era bridges were riddled with cracks. Almost half are state-owned, and many are of reinforced concrete deck girder bridge design consistent with AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges. The state diagnosed the problem, primarily in bridges built between 1947 and 1961, and since then has been attempting to rate the severity of the problem and to find new funds for fixing them. It hired a private sector program management firm to oversee bridgework related to cracking. This article describes what types of cracking are involved in which types of bridges, the costs, and the effects on commerce of closing bridges for repair. It also describes various repair methods being investigated at Oregon State University, which has the second largest structural testing floor on the West Coast.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
• Authors:
  • Kuennen, Tom
• Publication Date: 2006-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 54-58, 60-62
• Serial:
  • Better Roads
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0006-0208
  • Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking of concrete pavements; Federal aid; Girder bridges; Government funding; Load tests; Nondestructive tests; Reinforced concrete bridges; Reinforcing steel; Shear strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge inspection; Modified compression field theory
• Geographic Terms: Oregon
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Finance; Highways; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01024954
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 2006 7:55AM