Transcript Prefabricated Substructure Elements--Wisconsin HVR-

Rapid Bridge Construction:
Prefabricated Substructure
Elements
AASHTO RAC High Value
Research Workshop
July 27, 2011
Rapid Bridge Construction: Prefabricated Substructure Elements
Overview
The use of precast substructure components for
bridges offers several potential benefits in
Wisconsin
– Faster bridge construction times
– Reduced exposure of workers
to safety hazards
– Less environmental interference
during construction
– Fewer weather delays
Rapid Bridge Construction: Prefabricated Substructure Elements
Goals and methods
Propose, implement and evaluate a precast
substructure system suitable for Wisconsin
– After considering several
elements, the project focused
on abutment panels and caps
for piers and piles
– WisDOT conducted a pilot
program with precast elements
on the U.S. 63 bridge over the
Rush River
Rapid Bridge Construction: Prefabricated Substructure Elements
Findings
On-site time savings were substantial
• For a 96-foot span, placing the precast concrete abutment
system took only 10½ hours for four workers
• A comparable cast-in-place system would have required the
same workers two weeks to place
Cost was an issue
• The need for a high-capacity crane drove
costs higher than expected; investigators
recommend lower element weights for
future projects
Rapid Bridge Construction: Prefabricated Substructure Elements
Outlook
Costs should drop and expertise should
improve as contractors get more
experience with these methods. WisDOT
intends to try this technique several
times before precasting
other substructure elements.
Rapid Bridge Construction: Prefabricated Substructure Elements
For more information
• Wisconsin Highway Research Program project
0092-07-08, Rapid Bridge Construction
Technology: Precast Elements for Substructures
• http://www.whrp.org/research-areas/
structures/structures_0092-07-08.html
• Daniel Yeh
[email protected]
(608) 267-6977