PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-11-0030
Project Name:	Response Based Load Rating of Steel Bridges
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Boone First Name: Shane Telephone: 202-493-3064 E-mail: shane.boone@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Infrastructure Management Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	The project will develop a tentative technical approach identifying what, how, when, where, and for how long data needs to be collected, as well as how it might be used to produce ratings. The statistical and reliability theories employed by the Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) Specifications shall be reviewed for requirements and restrictions applicable to processes or procedures for the actual collection of data when developing this plan.After the plan has been approved by the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR), the contractor shall conduct market research on sensors and data gathering technologies to determine if there are commercially available systems that will collect long-term field measurements of bridge data (strains and possibly deflections) under regular highway/roadway traffic. These sensors and data collection systems shall have the capability of gathering the data without having to impede traffic with lane closures or other forms of work zone traffic control. Rating equations and possible algorithms shall be developed. The equations and algorithms shall also utilize the statistical and reliability theory employed by the LRFR Specifications to produce reliability-based load ratings. Laboratory tests will be performed for validation of the equipment for use in the field without impact to traffic. After laboratory validation of the sensors and data collection systems and tools, field measurements will be taken with actual bridge traffic; however, consideration will be given to a heavy moving test load mixed with traffic, without interruption to traffic and without lane closures. A final report will document the entire research effort, including an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials(AASHTO) ballot item to be presented to AASHTO T-18 for consideration and possible incorporation into the AASHTO Bridge Evaluation Manual.
Laboratories:	Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratory
Start Date:	April 11, 2011
End Date:	August 31, 2013
Funding Amount:	$404,217.00
FHWA Program Name:	Flexible Funding
Goals:	The key project objective is to produce Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) procedures and tools for converting field measurements into load ratings for bridges that have calculated load ratings requiring them to be posted.
Project Type:	Onsite and Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	Expert Collaboration
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is efficient use of existing structures through the use of site- specific data.
Deliverables:	1. Name: Final Report Product Type(s): Research report Description: The deliverable is a detailed report outlining the guidelines and the procedures for performing Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) procedures for response-based rapid load rating of steel bridges to be provided to AASHTO Subcommittee T-18 for evaluation. Audiences: Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, State highway agencies, Bridge design professionals Secondary Audiences: 2. Name: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Ballot Item Product Type(s): Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines Description: The deliverable is an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) ballot item to be presented to AASHTO T-18 for consideration and possible incorporation into the AASHTO Bridge Evaluation Manual to incorporate the findings of this report. Audiences: State highway agencies, Bridge design professionals Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) Roads and Bridges--Structures
TRT Terms:	Investigation of Structure Measurement Inspection Testing Equipment Live Loads Load Factor Traffic Control Infrastructure Bridges Steel Bridges Load Rating
FHWA Disciplines:	Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures