Accelerated Bridge Construction

Best Practices and Techniques

Mohiuddin Ali Khan

• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9780124072251
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Transportation & Navigation
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The traveling public has no patience for prolonged, high cost construction projects. This puts highway construction contractors under intense pressure to minimize traffic disruptions and construction cost. Actively promoted by the Federal Highway Administration, there are hundreds of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) construction programs in the United States, Europe and Japan. Accelerated Bridge Construction: Best Practices and Techniques provides a wide range of construction techniques, processes and technologies designed to maximize bridge construction or reconstruction operations while minimizing project delays and community disruption.

• Describes design methods for accelerated bridge substructure construction; reducing foundation construction time and methods by using pile bents
• Explains applications to steel bridges, temporary bridges in place of detours using quick erection and demolition
• Covers design-build systems' boon to ABC; development of software; use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)
• Includes applications to glulam and sawn lumber bridges, precast concrete bridges, precast joints details; use of lightweight aggregate concrete, aluminum and high-performance steel

Section 1

Innovative Construction Methods

Outline

Chapter 1. Introduction to Modern Accelerated Bridge Construction

Chapter 2. Recent Developments in ABC Concepts

Chapter 3. Research and Training in ABC Structural Systems

Chapter 4. Innovative ABC Techniques

Chapter 1

Introduction to Modern Accelerated Bridge Construction

Abstract

With the advent of high-capacity machinery, new materials, and new management methods, we are now able to manufacture bridge assemblies and lift them in position. There is a year-round need for infrastructure improvements and maintenance in the form of rapid replacement and rehabilitation of many thousands of bridges. Although most of us have heard the expression accelerated bridge construction (ABC), few of us know the intricate details. In this book, an attempt is made to bring up to date the latest knowledge of the multibillion dollar construction industry. The topics in this introduction cover the need for ABC, differences in conventional methods, the state of the art, the scope of work, and the many advantages and existing constraints in achieving rapid delivery. Funding limitations, review of progress in other structural disciplines, notable ABC projects being built in several US states, recommendations, and the need for a code of practice for accelerated construction are addressed. Applying the ABC methodology will result in 50% greater number of completed bridges each year. It will help the economy by reducing wasted hours due to traffic jams during construction, helping commuters to work, and also benefiting commerce by increasing faster delivery of goods.

Keywords

Accelerated bridge construction; Conventional construction; Design-build; Mechanized bridge construction; Prefabricated bridge elements

1.1. Rapid construction and early delivery of bridges

This book deals with new construction technology. With the advent of high-capacity machinery, new materials, and new management methods, we are now able to manufacture bridge assemblies and lifting them in position. The new structures can be described as the application of:

Accelerated construction,

Rapid construction,

Modular construction,

Mechanized construction, or

Ready-made construction.

There is a year-round need for infrastructure improvements and maintenance in the form of rapid replacement and rehabilitation of many thousands of bridges. Although most of us have heard the expression accelerated bridge construction (ABC), few of us know the intricate details. In this book, an attempt is made to bring up to date the latest knowledge of the multibillion dollar construction industry.

This introductory chapter gives salient features of the book chapters, which describe individual specialized topics of ABC. Hence, an overview of the subject is presented here. The topics cover the need for ABC, differences in conventional methods, the state of the art, the scope of work, and the many advantages and existing constraints in achieving rapid delivery. Using a point system, Tables 1.2(a) and 1.2(b) give a method of priority selection of projects for ABC, in terms of relative benefit compared to conventional construction. A spreadsheet can also be used with the same criteria given in the tables.

Funding limitations, review of progress in other structural disciplines, notable ABC projects being built in several US states, recommendations, and the need for a code of practice for accelerated construction are addressed.

The chapters that follow this introductory chapter will cover the following theme:

Recent developments in ABC concepts (Chapter 2), research and training in ABC structural systems (Chapter 3), introducing innovative ABC techniques (Chapter 4), modular bridge construction issues (Chapter 5), rapid bridge insertions following failures (Chapter 6), planning and resolving construction issues (Chapter 7), prefabrication of the superstructure, (Chapter 8), prefabrication of the substructure and construction management (Chapter 9), alternative ABC methods and funding evaluation (Chapter 10), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) infrastructure evaluation, review of chapters, bridges on rivers, and conclusions (Chapter 11). Additional information is provided in the appendices at the end of the book.

This first section introduces a variety of topics, including the background on ABC, the drawbacks of conventional bridge construction (CBC), promoting ABC, categorizing applicable bridges, typical span lengths, selecting projects for ABC, its multiple types, and successful modular construction.

1.1.1. Background

The United States has the largest network of highways in the world. Its economy depends a great deal on vehicular travel and distribution of goods in the 50 states. The construction industry contributes to the nation’s economy. It is a major industry like car manufacturing and provides many jobs for skilled and unskilled workers. It also contributes to an increasing need for developing new construction materials, mechanical and electrical equipment, lifting cranes for erection, and special tractors for transportation.

Construction is backed up by analysis and design methods requiring special software and graphics, thereby generating supporting jobs in the information technology and computing sectors. Thus it has far-reaching impacts on the economy. Rapid construction would benefit travel and commerce because of the increased number of duly completed bridges each year and far earlier availability of construction teams with specialized experience to handle more bridge work.

ABC consists of a number of design, construction, and contracting practices that speed up construction, improve safety, and minimize traffic disruption. Bridge engineering, whether conventional or using ABC, is linked to the public domain.

Bridges are essential for daily transportation; for access to workplaces, markets, restaurants, schools, and hospitals; for linking towns with cities; and also for the defense of the nation.

Compared to conventional design, there is little change in the structural design of bridge components because the principles and mathematical theorems have not changed. However, any introduction of splices and joints using ABC affects the geometry and configuration of deck slabs and girders and needs to be considered in analysis and design. One example of this is construction loads encountered in segmental bridge construction.

ABC is a relatively new subject. It is more of an art than a science. Research on various aspects is in progress and is being supervised by management agencies and proprietary construction companies. Construction management techniques play an important role in completing a bridge as quickly as possible, without lowering the quality or the life expectancy of the bridge.

1.1.2. Use of new ABC technologies

Approximately one-fourth of the nation’s 600,000 bridges require rehabilitation, repair, or total replacement. However, on-site construction can have significant impacts on mobility and safety.

In many cases, the direct and indirect costs of traffic detours and use of temporary bridges during construction can exceed the cos...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Preface
• Section 1. Innovative Construction Methods
• Section 2. Recent Developments in ABC Concepts
• Section 3. Modular Bridges
• Appendix 1. Selected Bibliography
• Index
• Part 1. References to Literature
• Part 2. Training in ABC
• Part 3. ASCE Report Card and Survey Form
• Part 4. Lightweight Bridges