Alternative Solutions to Meet the Service Needs of Low Volume Bridges in Iowa

There is a nationwide need for a safe, efficient and cost effective transportation system. An essential component of this system is the bridges. Local agencies perhaps have an even greater task than federal and state agencies in maintaining the low volume road (LVR) bridge system due to lack of sufficient resources and funding. The primary focus of this study was to review the various aspects of off-system bridge design, rehabilitation, and replacement. Specifically, a reference report was developed to address common problems in LVR bridges. The source of information included both Iowa and national agencies. This report is intended to be a "user manual" or "tool box" of information, procedures and choices for county engineers to employ in the management of their bridge inventory plus identify areas and problems that need to be researched. To obtain pertinent published information, past Iowa Highway Research Board projects were identified and reviewed. A questionnaire was sent to all Iowa county engineers to determine the various problems that are encountered on LVR and their solutions to these problems. Fifty-two Iowa counties responded to the survey. A large percentage of the respondents indicated that they use in-house crews for bridge replacement of rehabilitation. A large part of the in-house work uses steel stringers and wood decks. Approximately one-half of the respondents indicated that they have experience with strengthening superstructure and substructure bridge elements, although adding piling to the substructure was the most common response. A questionnaire was also sent to other states to obtain similar information. One significant finding is that more appropriate decisions are required in all areas of bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement. A list of research needs was developed, based on the evaluation of the information obtained from this study, input from a research needs forum meeting held last year, and conversations with several county engineers. The research needs list will form the basis of a work plan for developing solutions to current LVR bridge problems.

• Record URL:
  http://publications.iowa.gov/2486/1/tr452.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/37847
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  Town Engineering Building
  Ames, IA  United States  50011-3232

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Iowa Highway Research Board, 800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Authors:
  • Klaiber, F W
  • Wipf, T J
• Publication Date: 2004-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 205p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Bridge decks; Bridge design; Bridge engineering; Bridge piers; Bridge substructures; Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Decision making; Inventory control; Low volume roads; Needs assessment; Procedures; Questionnaires; Rehabilitation (Maintenance); Research; Steel; Strengthening (Maintenance); Stringers; Wood
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge replacement
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Research; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001198
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Iowa DOT Project TR-452
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 23 2005 4:39PM