Analysis of the state of the art of precast concrete bridge substructure systems

abstract: In 2001, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Technology Implementation Group identified prefabricated bridge construction as a technology that should be advanced and implemented as quickly as possible. Bridge designs incorporating prefabricated superstructure elements are not new or innovative, as precast concrete beams or girders have been around since roughly the 1950s. However, until the last 25 years, incorporating precast concrete bridge substructure components into design has been very limited. This research focused on the collection of information related to the design and construction of precast concrete bridge substructures, with sources including state and federal transportation agency websites and published literature; conference and workshop proceedings and presentations; professional associations and societies; and other published literature sources, such as technical journals. This project reviewed this literature to determine the current state of practice with respect to the use of precast substructures on bridges in the United States. This project also evaluated the various precast substructure technologies for their applicability to “typical” Arizona bridges.Final report 687.Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-104)

Application of Polymer Concrete and Non-Proprietary Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Pre-fabricated Bridge Decks Field Joints

Pre-fabricated full-depth bridge deck panels are widely used to expedite bridge deck erection and accelerate bridge construction. However, these pre-fabricated deck panels dictate the need for field cast joints at least in one direction of the bridge. Currently, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) full-depth deck joints with concave shear keys are commonly used in bridge decks. The robust UHPC mixes have gained popularity for deck field joint applications because of their unparalleled mechanical properties, high early strength, high bond strength, and high durability. However, the proprietary nature and relatively expensive cost of these mixes may restrain their implementation in the US bridge industry. Therefore, many research efforts have considered addressing these major drawbacks and have searched for other alternative advanced materials, like this doctoral study presented herein. The overarching goal of this study is to identify alternative materials to UHPC and experimentally proof-test their suitability for use in the deck field joints. Poly-methyl methacrylate polymer concrete (PMMA-PC) along with non-proprietary UHPC mix (NP-UHPC) developed using locally available materials in the western states were identified as the alternatives for deck field joint materials. To accomplish this goal, experimental investigation of nine full-scale specimens was done to study the structural performance of deck systems with PMMA-PC and NP-UHPC field joints and compare them with reference systems with proprietary UHPC (P-UHPC) field joints. The experimental program included testing of six specimens with transverse field joints and three other specimens that represent the longitudinal field joints in typical deck-bulb tee girders (DBTs). The specimens were subjected to vertical static loading up to failure to investigate the overall structural behavior of the deck specimens and the performance of the field joints. The results demonstrated that the PMMA-PC and the developed NP-UHPC mix can be efficiently used for full-depth bridge deck field joints with comparable performance to the proprietary UHPC joints. The study has also considered developing and updating design guidelines for the design of full-depth deck panels with PMMA-PC and UHPC field joints. Thus, based on the results and assessment of all specimens, the study is concluded with design and construction recommendations for both field joints with emerging materials and the deck panels

Enhancing skill worker requirements in improving implementation of IBS in construction projects

Skill worker is required and essential for implementing IBS construction projects in order to deliver and achieve projects within specific time and estimated cost. Skill worker in building and construction need to be implemented in terms of knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. Many construction industries lack of skilled and professional labours to handle the progress of construction projects effectively and successfully. Therefore, it is important to study and find out the influencing factors for enhancing skills worker requirements in order to improve implementation of IBS in construction projects. This research focuses on enhancing skill worker requirements in improving implementation of IBS in Johor Bahru, Johor with contractors of G7 involved. The objectives of the research are to identify the influencing factors for enhancing skill worker requirements in improving implementation of IBS in construction projects and recommend ways to enhance skill worker requirements in improving implementation of IBS in construction projects. The quantitative approach was used to obtain information from contractors (G7) in enhancing skill worker requirements in improving implementation of IBS in construction projects. The questionnaires received from respondents were 85. The data from the questionnaires were gathered and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 software. The data collected was analysed into the form of percentage, tables, and charts as well. Labour with a good knowledge, skills and awareness of IBS implementation surely encourage appointed workers to handle and implement IBS projects properly. Effective and successful skill worker can improve implementation of IBS in Malaysian construction projects and accomplish projects on time with good quality, in addition to minimise the foreign work force and encourage the local labour which enhance the market share of construction industry affect and benefit the Malaysian economy

Cost Estimate Modeling of Transportation Management Plans for Highway Projects, Research Report 11-24

Highway rehabilitation and reconstruction projects frequently cause road congestion and increase safety concerns while limiting access for road users. State Transportation Agencies (STAs) are challenged to find safer and more efficient ways to renew deteriorating roadways in urban areas. To better address the work zone issues, the Federal Highway Administration published updates to the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule. All state and local governments receiving federal aid funding were required to comply with the provisions of the rule no later than October 12, 2007. One of the rule’s major elements is to develop and implement Transportation Management Plans (TMPs). Using well-developed TMP strategies, work zone safety and mobility can be enhanced while road user costs can be minimized. The cost of a TMP for a road project is generally considered a high-cost item and, therefore, must be quantified. However, no tools or systematic modeling methods are available to assist agency engineers with TMP cost estimating. This research included reviewing TMP reports for recent Caltrans projects regarding state-of-the-art TMP practices and input from the district TMP traffic engineers. The researchers collected Caltrans highway project data regarding TMP cost estimating. Then, using Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS) software, the researchers performed case studies. Based on the CA4PRS outcomes of the case studies, a TMP strategy selection and cost estimate (STELCE) model for Caltrans highway projects was proposed. To validate the proposed model, the research demonstrated an application for selecting TMP strategies and estimating TMP costs. Regarding the model’s limitation, the proposed TMP STELCE model was developed based on Caltrans TMP practices and strategies. Therefore, other STAs might require adjustments and modifications, reflecting their TMP processes, before adopting this model. Finally, the authors recommended that a more detailed step-by-step TMP strategy selection and cost estimate process be included in the TMP guidelines to improve the accuracy of TMP cost estimates

Bridge Construction Monitoring using LIDAR for Quantified, Objective Quality-Control Quality-Assurance (QOQCQA)

Transportation infrastructure construction quality control and quality assurance demands construction monitoring by field inspectors. Currently, these inspectors monitor infrastructure by measuring and photographing structures. These tasks allow them to assess any correction decision during construction or to inform about the quality of the construction process for the future. In order to promote and objective decisions obtained during infrastructure construction, the proposed research project developed and implemented a methodology to measure construction progress and compared it with the designed 3D shape, quantifying the difference. This proposed project includes implementation for the development of DOT standards that could be added in near future bridge construction documents. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) showed a strong interest in this topic. The experience of the PIs on bridge design and construction, field inspection, and LIDAR technology was integrated in order to evaluate the results with impact both in research and in industry. Specifically, the research results outline recommendations about standards for implementation of technology in specifications for NMDOT or other DOTs

Developing a sector sustainability strategy for the UK precast concrete industry

Sector sustainability strategies can provide industry sectors with a way of managing risks and opportunities, and contributing to sustainable development. The UK Government has encouraged their development in the construction industry. British Precast, as the trade association for the precast concrete industry in the UK, had undertaken to develop a sector sustainability strategy for that industry. However, the development of such strategies is a departure from the traditional role of the trade association and presented British Precast with a number of challenges. This EngD research programme was therefore established in order to address those challenges and facilitate progress towards a more sustainable precast industry. The research programme has followed a mixed method strategy of inquiry based on action research methodology, that is, a series of research cycles have been undertaken with the findings from each cycle being used to inform and guide subsequent cycles; archival analysis, survey and case study were the main research methods used. The requirement of the EngD programme to publish elements of the work in refereed journal and conference papers as the research progresses has allowed the research to be validated as scientifically satisfactory. The strategy development process combined best practice, current and emerging theory, original research, stakeholder engagement, and experience from other sectors and industries. The strategy was produced in the form of an action plan for British Precast. This plan differs from the sustainability strategies produced for other sectors of the construction products industry in that rather than simply promoting action on specific objectives, it provides British Precast with a means of engaging with the industry and its stakeholders, and facilitating progress towards a more sustainable precast industry. The action plan has been well received by the industry and its stakeholders, and there is clear evidence that it is helping to guide the business decisions of companies in the industry, and that progress towards a more sustainable precast industry is being achieved as a result. The research supporting the strategy development process has added to current knowledge and guidance on the development of sector sustainability strategies, but shown that there are limits to the influence trade associations can have over their members’ actions. It has also been shown that the development of management systems, particularly environmental management systems to ISO 14001, and continuous performance improvement cultures can assist companies in managing for sustainability, supporting the findings of other studies. However, further work is needed to build support for the action plan within the precast industry, particularly amongst SMEs, to support the downstream supply chain in using precast products to deliver more sustainable construction, and to assist companies in achieving progress towards corporate sustainability. Recommendations are made for this work

Cladding the Mid-Century Modern: Thin Stone Veneer-Faced Precast Concrete

With significant advancements in building technology at the turn of the twentieth century, new building materials and innovative systems changed the conventions of construction and design. New materials were introduced and old materials continued to be transformed for new uses. With growing demand after WWII forcing further modernization and standardization and greater experimentation; adequate research and testing was not always pursued. Focusing on this specific composite cladding material consisting of thin stone veneer-faced precast concrete – the official name given at the time – this research aims to identify what drove the design and how did the initial design change over time. Design decisions and changes are evident from and identified by closely studying the industry and trade literature in the form of articles, handbooks/manuals, and guide specifications. For this cladding material, there are two major industries that came together: the precast concrete industry and the stone industry. Literature from both industries provide a comprehensive understanding of their exchange and collaboration. From the information in the trade literature, case studies using early forms of thin stone veneer-faced precast concrete are identified, and the performance of the material over time is discussed. This cladding material seems to appear on the US market generally in the 1960s and 1970s. Three fundamental questions were asked: 1) What were the designs and how did they evolve over time; 2) what kind of issues or failures came about; and 3) what measures were taken to address them; 4) what changes were made to mitigate future failures? Technical design decisions are dependent on physical performance of the individual materials and the interaction between the two. Other conditions such as economy, client demand, and architectural trends influence those decisions. As the architecture from this era now enters into the realm of preservation, it is important to understand and assess the historical and technical context and background of this composite material and system in order to allow for informed choices to be made regarding preservation strategies