IMPLICATIONS OF THE POINT PLEASANT BRIDGE INVESTIGATION

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE US 35 HIGHWAY BRIDGE AT POINT PLEASANT, WEST VIRGINIA ON DEC 15, 1967 ARE PRESENTED FOR THE FUTURE DESIGN, OPERATION, AND INSPECTION OF HIGHWAYS AND OTHER BRIDGES. MUCH OF THE THREE YEARS OF INVESTIGATION WAS SPENT ON EXAMINING THE FRACTURES, THE INITIAL FRACTURING IN THE SEQUENCE OF COLLAPSE, CAREFUL STUDY OF EYEBARS USED, AND THE CAUSES OF PREEXISTENT CRACKS. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE BRITTLE FRACTURE IN EYEBAR 330 WAS THE CAUSE OF COLLAPSE. EXTENSIVE LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT THE PREEXISTENT CRACKS DEVELOPED TO CRITICAL SIZE THROUGH THE JOINT ACTION OF STRESS-CORROSION AND CORROSION- FATIGUE. THE LOADING ON THE STRUCTURE DID NOT EXCEED THE INTENDED DESIGN STRESS. THE UPGRADING OF BRIDGE INSPECTION PRACTICES AND DEVICES, RESEARCH PROGRAMS TO DETERMINE THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF BUILDING STEELS TO STRESS-CORROSION AND CORROSION-FATIGUE, AND THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL FOR BRIDGE INSPECTION HAVE BEEN INITIATED.

• Authors:
  • Scheffey, C F
• Conference:
  • Ohio Highway Engineering Conference Proceedings
• Publication Date: 1971-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 241-56

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridges; Corrosion; Failure; Fracture mechanics; Metal bars; Stresses; Structural design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Eyebars
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00209663
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 1972 12:00AM