Construction

2007 ABC Workshop Follow up

Archived: Seismic ABC Action Plan

The Steering Committee convened immediately following the workshop largely to develop an action plan to guide future activities stemming from discussions at the workshop. Five categories evolved: (1) Industry Engagement, (2) Project Development, (3) Contract Elements, (4) Share Lessons Learned, and (5) Maintenance Issues. These were further subdivided into supporting actions leading to successful development within each category. The action plan follows.

1. Industry Engagement
   1. Conduct workshop with fabricators, erectors, trucking, and general contractors to assess the most effective steps that can accelerate bridge construction in moderate to high seismic zones.
   2. Assess the most feasible connections from a Contractor's standpoint including constructability, allowable tolerance, cost, time savings, etc.
   3. Determine weight, length, geometric and other parameters associated with picking and transporting ABC prefabricated components (precast concrete, steel, etc.).
   4. Identify current capabilities of fabricator facilities and discuss future capabilities with regard to shapes, geometry, etc. associated with prefabrication beds. Consider curvature, round vs. rectangular shapes, non-standard vs. standard shapes, tree structures (e.g. precast monolithic joint in plastic hinge zone vs. joints connecting at member interfaces), use of connectors and inserts in precast members, etc.
   5. Discuss most effective contractual methods to accelerate construction.
   6. Discuss use of new materials, including high performance concrete and steel.
2. Project Development
   1. Develop connection evaluation criteria
      1. Durability
      2. Ability to accelerate construction
      3. Ductility
      4. Ability to develop full strength and strain capacity of reinforcing steel
      5. Constructability
      6. Maintainability
      7. Reliability
      8. Tolerances
      9. Dependability
      10. Ability to field verify performance after installation
   2. Evaluate current connection details published in FHWA connections catalogue.
   3. Develop construction specifications.
   4. Develop Guide Specification for ABC and ultimately AASHTO bridge design specifications.
   5. Assess use of connections at different locations, including at the point of maximum moment, within the plastic hinge zone, in the elastic region, etc.
   6. Develop and agree upon standard shapes and details of bridge components including girders, columns, etc.
   7. Optimize girder cross-sections considering new high performance materials.
   8. Interact with appropriate AASHTO and TRB committees and industry groups including NSBA, NCBC, PCI, ASBI, etc.
   9. Develop guidelines for considering ABC in moderate to high seismic zones during the Type Selection process.
   10. Analytically assess the effects of seismic response by limiting or allowing joints to open in an extreme event.
   11. Develop Demonstration Projects and seek federal funding.
   12. Publish Standard Seismic ABC Details.
   13. Form Seismic ABC Technical Committee.
3. Contract Elements
   1. Early collaboration between Contractor and Designer
      1. Include Contractor on Design Team
      2. Consider Design-Build contract partnership
      3. Consider Design Sequence contract partnership
   2. Determine costs of project delays
      1. Public delay costs
      2. Direct project costs
      3. Escalation of funding costs
   3. Reflect Delay/Time Costs in Bid Process
      1. A+B
      2. Incentive/Disincentive
      3. Lane rental
      4. Other
4. Share Lessons Learned
   1. Develop website dedicated to Seismic ABC information.
   2. Collect design and construction specifications used in other countries with moderate-to-high seismic hazards.
   3. Collect information on the performance of bridges with seismic ABC details during earthquakes or other extreme events.
   4. Share accelerated construction practices from other national and international agencies.
   5. Publish case studies.
   6. Hold workshops in other states sharing lessons learned.
   7. Review details used by others including railroad, building, offshore and international.
5. Maintenance Issues
   1. Assess ABC details and connections considering long-term durability and maintainability.
   2. Develop inspection practices for ABC details.
   3. Develop non-destructive evaluation methods and tools for ABC details.
   4. Collect long-term performance data from field applications of ABC details.
   5. Assess post-earthquake performance of joints opening in jointed precast members.
   6. Develop methods to rapidly evaluate post-earthquake damage and replace damaged ABC components.

Assess potential corrosion issues including inspection and replacement of unbonded tendons.