INTRODUCTION

A highway bridge is a major road structure that is

designed to go either over or underneath an obstacle. For
example, cars can use a highway bridge in order to cross
over a body of water or other traffic lanes. Most highway
bridges are not used by pedestrians and do not contain
pedestrian walking paths.

Instead, they are usually intended to allow vehicles, such

as passenger cars or semi-trucks, to safely cross over or
under the obstacle.

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A highway bridge is typically designed by an engineer,
who considers the bridge’s purpose in planning its design.

The structural design of a highway bridge can vary

greatly, depending on its length, location, anticipated load
weight, and width requirements. Whether clearance is
needed below or above the bridge is another construction
consideration. Building budgets and material availability
also influence the type of highway bridge design that is
used.

The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, an

arch bridge over the Colorado River near the Hoover
Dam.

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SITE LOCATION

Bridge construction level 2

Bridge construction level 2B

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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Concrete highway bridges (reinforced and prestressed) are

a major component in the U.S. transportation
infrastructure. Their deterioration can occur in various
damage mechanisms including:

1. mechanical (e.g., abrasion, erosion, cavitation),

2. physical (e.g., freeze-thaw);
3. chemical (e.g., alkali-silica reaction (ASR), alkali-
aggregate reaction (AAR), carbonation), and
4. electrochemical (e.g., steel rebars corrosion).

As a result, concrete cracks and further damages are

accelerated. One of the most critical challenges for the
durability and life expansion of concrete highway bridges
is crack identification. This is because the cracking of
concrete structures can be attributed to one or many
damage mechanisms.

Detection and identification of surface and

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subsurface cracks in concrete bridges can provide state
DOTs with critical information for repair and
rehabilitation.

The problem we are trying to solve is the structural

assessment of aging concrete bridges (reinforced and pre-
stressed) in New England, targeting at concrete cracking
and degradation (e.g., carbonation, alkali-silica reaction).
The problem is important because that the integrity of
concrete cover indicates not only mechanical strength of
the cross section but also the level of protection for steel

corrosion. Concrete cracking and steel corrosion can

occur to any component in concrete bridges. We propose
to:

1.conduct field radar inspection (using ground penetrating

radar (GPR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and
impact-echo) for 2D and 3D radar imaging and to

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2. develop a damage detection model for predicting the
level of structural damage for concrete bridges. Fig. 1
provides an overview of the proposed research.

METHODOLOGY

Building a bridge is a complex undertaking requiring

knowledge and expertise. Several variables, including
engineering constraints, costs, and environmental impacts
come into play when deciding which construction method
to use and bridge type to build.

Bridge construction typically involves methods using

relatively discrete elements, like piles and girders, which
are assembled piece by piece. Over the past 50 years,
however, construction methods have evolved to reduce
traffic impact, facilitate building in congested areas,
reduce overall construction schedules, and improve the
long-term service life of structures.

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Framing and support techniques

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SEGMENTAL CONSTRUCTION

Segmental construction is one of the most important

developments in construction in the last century and is a
proven method for delivering durable structures that are
both cost-effective and visually appealing.

This construction method is used throughout the world

and its versatility can be applied to most structures,
including highway, rail, and even movable
bridgeSegmental construction should be considered when
one or more of the following conditions exist:

1. The bridge is long and/or tall, and there is a potential

for repetitive construction details.
2. Construction access is very limited and/or traffic
disruptions are unacceptable.

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Stage 4 bridge construction

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SCOPE OF PROJECT

Bridge Design Scope), of Work - 3 -physical percent

complete of individual tasks (Activities and schedule
updates, billing preparation, and other non-technical
work. No changes in Contractor project management or
lead design personnel will be made without a written
notice to State

prior to change incurring cost.

1. The scope of this project included replacing the

existing bridge and related roadwork. Specifically,
the work included constructing a temporary detour,
demolition of the existing bridge, reconstruct the
banks of the creek below the new bridge and
construct a new 16m single span bridge.

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Bridge construction final stage after completion

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REFERENCE

As a summary of our project, the main purpose is to

analyze and design alternatives for an existing bridge;
more specifically Al-Maslakh bridge. The main objective
is to analyze and design a reinforced concrete beam
bridge with 3 lanes on each roadway using AASHO and
ACI specifications. After a comprehensive study of bridge
system types, a decision was made to choose the second
alternative to be a hammerhead bridge with the slab
directly installed on the pier caps without steel girders.
The scope of the project will focus on dealing with the
substructure in alternative 1, since superstructure has
already been done in GP1. On the other hand, both sub
and superstructures were taken into analysis and design of
alternative 2. The following elements were studied and
designed for the substructure: Pier cap (Cap and pier
columns), and footing.

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