Available Accelerated Bridge Construction Options For Short Span Bridges

By employing prefabricated bridge elements and systems, Accelerated Bridge Construction reduces on-site construction time and traffic disruptions, and enhances long-term performance. ABC is particularly advantageous for short-span bridges that are well-suited to standardized prefabrication. In such cases, the entire superstructure and substructure can often be constructed using prefabricated deck elements, modular decks, or systems that span the full bridge width. The construction methods can range from traditional crane installations to Self-Propelled Modular Transport units or slide-in techniques for moving the entire superstructures. This book introduces the concept of ABC and examines its application in the context of short-span bridge construction. It categorizes and details short-span bridges based on various criteria and evaluates the performance of the existing bridges. Decision-making processes regarding the adoption of ABC, choice of elements, systems, and construction methods are also discussed. Additionally, the book covers the inspection of short-span bridges and includes a design example.

By employing prefabricated bridge elements and systems, Accelerated Bridge Construction reduces on-site construction time and traffic disruptions, and enhances long-term performance. ABC is particularly advantageous for short-span bridges that are well-suited to standardized prefabrication. In such cases, the entire superstructure and substructure can often be constructed using prefabricated deck elements, modular decks, or systems that span the full bridge width. The construction methods can range from traditional crane installations to Self-Propelled Modular Transport units or slide-in techniques for moving the entire superstructures. This book introduces the concept of ABC and examines its application in the context of short-span bridge construction. It categorizes and details short-span bridges based on various criteria and evaluates the performance of the existing bridges. Decision-making processes regarding the adoption of ABC, choice of elements, systems, and construction methods are also discussed. Additionally, the book covers the inspection of short-span bridges and includes a design example.

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

"TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) SHRP 2 Report S2-R04-RR-2: Innovative Bridge Designs for Rapid Renewal: ABC Toolkit describes standardized approaches to designing and constructing complete bridge systems for rapid renewals. The report includes design standards and design examples for complete prefabricated bridge systems, and proposes specification language for accelerated bridge construction systems, which adheres to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design and Construction Specifications. The R04 MathCAD files for the SHRP 2 Report S2-R04-RR-2 are available to help illustrate the sample accelerated bridge construction (ABC) design calculations. The sample design calculations serve as training tools for engineers to increase familiarity with ABC design issues and criteria. A demonstration project on US 6 over the Keg Creek near Council Bluffs, Iowa was completed in 2011 using the accelerated bridge construction standards developed as part of Renewal Project R04. The following three videos were produced related to the Keg Creek project: ABC for Everyday Bridges (18:39) highlights the specific techniques used to deliver a new bridge with only a 10-day closure. One Design--10,000 Bridges (9:46) describes a tool kit for designing and constructing bridges that brings home the benefits of accelerated bridge construction techniques so local contractors can use typical equipment to build bridges quickly and efficiently. Time-Lapse Video (1:30) shows ABC techniques being used by a local contractor with standard equipment to replace the Keg Creek three-span bridge. SHRP 2 Renewal Project R04 also produced the Innovative Bridge Designs for Rapid Renewal report that documents the development of standardized approaches to designing and constructing complete bridge systems for rapid renewals"--Publication info.

Describes several bridging concepts, which were developed and successfully applied during the author's forty years of close involvement with UK and international bridge design, construction, maintenance and research. The concepts mainly apply to the small/medium span range of bridges and viaducts.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, documents the development of standardized approaches to designing and constructing complete bridge systems for rapid renewals.

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 698: Application of Accelerated Bridge Construction Connections in Moderate-to-High Seismic Regions evaluates the performance of connection details for bridge members in accelerated bridge construction in medium-to-high seismic regions and offers suggestions for further research.