At the University of Kansas, we are collecting cases and advice and making it available by computer. The software, Fabrication error Indexed eXamples and Solutions (FIXS), is a knowledge-based system to provide quick, possible solutions to fabrication errors suitable for use by multiple DOTs. The sharable database can lead to standardized solution procedures that would expedite bridge fabricati...

this paper presents the application of three main artificial neural networks (anns) in damage detection of steel bridges. this method has the ability to indicate damage in structural elements due to a localized change of stiffness called damage zone. the changes in structural response is used to identify the states of structural damage. to circumvent the difficulty arising from the non-linear n...

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is a means of evaluating structural components without damaging them. It can be used to evaluate structural systems, as well as specific structural components. Nondestructive testing is particularly useful for evaluating inservice bridges, since the bridges can remain in tact and open to traffic during the inspection and evaluation period. The NDE methods discuss...

To establish a maximum safe length and design details for zero skew steel and concrete bridges with integral abutments, a survey of the highway departments of all 50 states was conducted. The findings of the survey include maximum lengths of integral abutment bridges being constructed, advantages and disadvantages of these bridges as perceived by the various states, and the extent of field obse...

Reliable and durable asphalt surfacing systems still remain to be desired for the long-spanned orthotropic steel bridges as the nationally and internationally reports on distresses in deck pavement. Based on ten-year research works, this paper has presented a brief review and discussion of the Chinese practices and experiences of deck pavement on long-spanned steel bridges, including issues of ...

The natural aging, environmental impact, and appropriate design are certainly playing a serious role in safety of the bridges function. The functional safety of bridge constitutes a prime element of the transportation system serving commuters, passengers and freight. According to Federal Highway Administration, the steel bridges share represents a large amount of the United States' bridges. In ...

Corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete structures and bridges is a major problem facing the departments of transportation worldwide. In the United States, maintenance and replacement costs are measured in billions of dollars. Salt environment in hot climate and the use of deicing salts in cold regions have resulted in steady deterioration of bridge decks due to corrosion. These concerns h...

There are more than 130,000 prestressed concrete bridges in the United States with about 37,000 bridges being more than 30 years old. Prestressing steel strands are an important construction element used in these bridges and are critical to their performance. Presently there is no effective Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) technology for condition assessment of these prestressing strands once th...

This paper presents the results of an analytical investigation conducted to replicate experimentally obtained behavior, and better understand the behavior of the proposed structural fuse concept for bridges that is presented in a companion paper. First, a steel plate shear link (SPSL) proposed as a new type of structural fuse is described. Equations are derived to define its shear-moment intera...

Specially designed ductile end diaphragms of steel bridge superstructures have previously proved, both theoretically and experimentally, to dissipate seismic input energy, protecting other substructure and superstructure members. Although ductile diaphragms have been introduced in the latest AASHTO guide specifications as a structural system that can be used to resist transverse earthquake effe...