Join webinar with Hatem Seliem

Join our upcoming webinar with Hatem Seliem, Ph.D., PE, PMP, Senior Structural / Bridge Engineer & Project Manager at SDR Engineering Consultants, Inc. and Mahmoud Reda Manaa, Ph.D., Engineer II at SDR Engineering, Inc.

We will discuss “Best Practices When Considering Post-Tensioned Girder Bridges”

Continuous post-tensioned bridges are very efficient structures. By eliminating the need for deck joints, this requires less maintenance, which is a significant saving in the long-term. Precast prestressed concrete (PPC) girder bridges are made continuous by using cast-in-place closure joints combined with continuous draped post-tensioning tendons. The webinar will present the proper modeling of continuous post-tensioned girder bridges utilizing staged construction for the time dependency. And checking the load rating by using the resulting internal forces received from the detailed finite element analysis.

Save the date and register for the webinar! Check out this link to see the details https://hubs.ly/H0nND7v0

Structural Evaluation of Low Truss Swing Bridges Through Load Testing & FEA

Structural evaluation through load testing coupled with advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a powerful tool to load rate posted bridges with the aim of removing current posting. Based on SDR vast experience in structural evaluation and load testing, bridges can carry much higher loads than those predicted by design codes. Load test captures actual behavior of the structure (load distribution) and account for strength enhancing factors not included in design

The Mermentau Bridge is located along Louisiana State Highway 82 and crosses the river at Grand Chenier in Cameron Parish – Lake Charles. The bridge was built in 1959. The bridge main span is a swing steel low truss (Pony Truss) with a span length of 204 ft. The posting was controlled by the upper chord truss members.

Test results indicated that the actual performance of the truss swing span the bridge is more favorable than what is estimated by design codes. Load rating of the truss swing span was revised considering test findings and FEA, and the rating results indicated that the posting load of the bridge can be safely increased.

Load Testing Evaluation and Load Rating of Movable Bridge

To watch Dr. Zhiyong’s seminar for “Load Testing Evaluation and Load Rating of Movable Bridge”, use the link below.

https://www.midasoft.com/bridge/load-testing-evaluation-and-load-rating-of-movable-bridge?utm_content=112283529&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-2905349

SHERIDAN STREET BRIDGE OVER FLORIDA TURNPIKE

The Sheridan Street bridge spans 195 feet in four spans over the Florida Turnpike. The superstructure of the bridge comprises 12 precast prestressed concrete AASHTO Type II beams with a roadway width of 60 feet.
The southbound lane was impacted by an over-height vehicle, causing damage to the exterior beam and four interior beams. Damage was in the form of section concrete loss, exposure of prestressing strands, rupture of prestressing strands, and excessive cracking.
In-house developed software, Smart Bridge Suite, was used to analyze the superstructure, to determine the impact of damage on the structural strength of the beams and to design the rehabilitation work.
Repair work included splicing ruptured prestressing strands, restoring concrete section using polymer modified concrete, using externally bonded longitudinal CFRP sheets and transverse U-wraps. The use of advanced composite materials allowed the damaged beams to be repaired instead of replaced, while providing accelerated construction.

STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF RC T-BEAM BRIDGES THROUGH LOAD TESTING & FEA

Structural evaluation through load testing, coupled with advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA), is a powerful tool to load rate posted bridges with the aim of removing the current posting. Based on SDR’s vast experience in structural evaluation and load testing, bridges can carry much higher loads than those estimated by design code equations. Load testing captures actual behavior of the structure (load distribution) and accounts for strength enhancing factors not included in design.


The LA 182 bridge over Berwick Bay is controlled by reinforced concrete T-beam spans. SDR was tasked with performing structural evaluation though load testing of the T-beam spans with the aim of removing the current posting.Test results, along with the FEA, revealed that, due to the support conditions of the slab, partial fixed end moments were developed, causing significant reduction in mid-span moment compared to moment calculated assuming simple-beam action. Load rating of the bridge was carried out in light of the testing findings and FEA results, resulting in an increase of load rating factor from 0.85 to 1.23.

I-10 OVER US-19 IMPACT DAMAGE BRIDGE REHAB

The I-10 over US 19 bridge is located in the center of Jefferson County near Monticello, Florida. The bridge spans 243.33 ft. over US 19 and consists of four (4) spans. Two spans are 44.5 ft. long, comprising two Type III AASHTO beams for the exterior beams and three Type II AASHTO beams for the interior beams. Two spans are 77.16 ft. long, comprising seven Type III AASHTO beams.
Span 3 was impacted by an over-height truck causing severe damage in the fascia beam (beam 7) and the interior beam (beam 6). The vehicle impact resulted in significant section loss, cracking, and rupture of prestressing strands.
In-house developed software-Smart Bridge Suite was used to analyze the superstructure accounting for the damage to determine the impact of damage on the structural strength of the beams and to design the rehabilitation work.
Repair work included splicing rupture prestressing strands, restoring concrete section using polymer modified concrete, using externally bonded longitudinal CFRP sheets and transvers U-wraps. The use of advanced composite materials allowed the damaged beams to be repaired instead of replacement, while providing accelerated construction.

I-10 EAST AT HIGH RISE BRIDGE FIRE DAMAGE REPAIR

I-10 East at the High-Rise bridge was severely damaged due to fire. The damage is located on the eastbound side of I-10 at Bents Nos. 2-E/W and extends into spans 17-E/W and 18-E/W. The damaged members included columns, cap beams, girders, risers, bearing, and deck slab.
The scope included performing in-depth inspection of the fire damage and assessment of fire impact on the structural performance of the bridge, design of the rehabilitation system for the different elements of the superstructure/substructure, and providing full construction support.
Possible rehabilitation alternatives were investigated considering cost-benefit ratio, traffic impact, and past experience. Designed rehabilitation technique encompassed restoring the concrete section and the use of advanced composite materials (Fiber Reinforced Polymers) to regain the strength of the damaged structural members. Selected alternative allowed for construction while avoiding closing the bridge, where only partial lane closure was required for very limited number of days.