The collapse resulted in the media’s search for immediate answers to the following two questions; why did the bridge collapse and who is to blame? Speculative answers to the first question were proposed by the “Average Joe” and structural engineering experts alike, and involved the usual suspects; the growth from microscopic to catastrophic lengths of undetected cyclic load-induced fatigue crac...

This research studies the structural behaviour of bridge deck slabs under static patch loads in steel–concrete composite bridges and investigates compressive membrane action (CMA) in concrete bridge decks slabs,which governs the structural behaviour. A non-linear 3D finite element analysismodels was developed using ABAQUS 6.5 software packages. Experimental data from one-span composite bridge s...

A reliability analysis of suspension bridges against buffeting failure due to gustiness of wind velocity is carried out using the concept of PRA (probabilistic risk analysis) procedure. For this purpose, the bending stresses at the critical nodes of the bridge deck are obtained for buffeting forces using a spectral analysis technique and a finite element approach. For the purpose of reliability...

This study is concerned with the development of design specifications for the use of transverse post-tensioning in concrete bridge decks. The ultimate goal behind this proposal is to improve the durability of concrete bridge superstructures. Experimental results from previous studies are used to validate the analytical models implemented in the development of the design specifications. It is fo...

One of the main causes of a limited use of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies in bridge deck assessment is the speed of data collection and analysis. The paper describes development and implementation of the RABIT (Robotics Assisted Bridge Inspection Tool) for data collection using multiple NDE technologies. The system is designed to characterize three most common deterioration types ...

Cracks on a bridge deck should be ideally detected at an early stage in order to prevent further damage. To ensure safety, it is necessary to inspect the quality of concrete decks at regular intervals. Conventional methods usually include manual inspection of concrete surfaces to determine defects. Though very e↵ective, these methods are time-ine cient. This paper presents the use of computer-v...

In a continuing effort to provide a solution, engineers in the Construction and Technology Division (C&T) of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are studying alternative bridge deck designs. C&T engineers are six years into a study which could eventually save Michigan motorists a considerable amount of tax dollars. The study compares the performance of isotropic bridge decks with d...

The problem of concrete bridge deck deterioration on many of our newer as well as older bridges is severe, somewhat perplexing as to cause, and difficult to solve. Furthermore, the cost to highway agencies for their repair, and the cost of delay to the highway user, can be extremely large. The use of precast, prestressed concrete for bridge decks is a con­ cept of construction or reconstruction...