Rapid bridge replacement

Thermal lance cutting away a railroad bridge in Binghamton, New York to prepare for its overnight replacement.
Self-propelled modular transporters moving Hamilton, Ontario's Aberdeen Bridge span into place.

Rapid bridge replacement or accelerated bridge construction (ABC) is a technique that allows bridges to be replaced with minimum disruption to traffic. The replacement bridge is constructed on a site near the bridge to be replaced. When it is completed, the old bridge is cut away and removed using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). Then the SPMTs lift the new bridge, transfer it to the work site and put it in place.[1] Often the highway or railroad carried by the bridge is closed for just one weekend. Conventional techniques typically replace half a bridge at a time, with all highway traffic redirected under the other bridge half, often for a year or more, while construction progresses. Accelerated Bridge Construction(ABC) alternatives consist of ABC components and ABC techniques. Components can be categorized into prefabricated bridge elements (e.g. beams, bridge decks, footings, columns, pier caps, abutments etc.) or prefabricated bridge systems (e.g. bridge modules with superstructures and/or substructures)[2][3]. ABC involves fabrication of these elements or systems off-site in a regulated environment, and transporting those to site for installation. Related processes such as lifting, placement, transportation, embankment construction are termed as ABC techniques.[4]

Notable rapid bridge replacement projects include Interstate 93 in Massachusetts, where 14 bridges were replaced over 10 weekends in 2011.[5]

Incidents

On March 15, 2018, a partially completed bridge at Florida International University collapsed five days after it was placed using this method. FIU is home to the Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center, a federally-funded center. It is known for its expertise in the field, has attracted top international scholars as PhD students, and sponsors industry conferences and seminars. That week, FIU was planning an independent investigation into the cause of the collapse.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "The ABCs of a Rapid Bridge Replacement in Utah". Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation. December 2007.
  2. ↑ Salem, O.; Salman, B.; Ghorai, S. (2017). "Accelerating construction of roadway bridges using alternative techniques and procurement methods". Transport. 33 (2): 567–579. doi:10.3846/16484142.2017.1300942.
  3. ↑ Culmo, M. P. (2011). "Accelerated Bridge Construction: Experience in Design, Fabrication and Erection of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems" (PDF). Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), US Department of Transportation. p. 347. Publication No HIF-12-013.
  4. ↑ FHWA (2012). "Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) Definitions". Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), US Department of Transportation.
  5. ↑ John Schwartz (17 April 2012). "Did Someone Order an Instant Bridge?". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ Bridge Collapse Saps Spirits and Research Efforts at Florida International University, By PATRICIA MAZZEI and STEPHANIE SAUL, New York Times, MARCH 17, 2018
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