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2007 ABC Workshop Follow up

Archived: Appendix C - Presentation Summaries

General Session Speaker Notes:

Workshop Overview - Ray Wolfe (California Department of Transportation)

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques have evolved into proven solutions for bridge construction. Connection detailing for applications in regions of moderate to high seismic activity remains the one area needing additional development. This workshop focuses on these connection issues.

Welcoming Remarks: Movement of Goods and Services from Port to Border - Kevin Thompson (California State Bridge Engineer)

The movement of goods and services on critical routes are vital to the economic interests on both a state and national level. Reducing delays to the traveling public coincides with the Department's One Mission/One Vision: "Caltrans Improves Mobility Across California". After a major event such as an earthquake, Caltrans must respond quickly and efficiently to restore mobility and goods movement. This accelerated delivery commitment necessitates accelerated bridge construction techniques and solutions to succeed.

Federal Highway administration (FHWA) Perspective - Vasant Mistry (FHWA)

FHWA has been promoting the use of ABC techniques in an effort to combat construction-induced congestion by drastically reducing on-site construction time, provide safer construction site work environments for both the motoring public and the contracting forces, and standardize details to derive potential project cost savings.

Transportation Research Board (TRB) Perspective - Stephen Maher (TRB)

TRB's interest in ABC stems from its mission of promoting innovation and progress in transportation: ABC techniques are presently evolving toward mainstream application. As a leader in national research problem development, management and information dissemination, TRB will play a key role in further developing the outcomes of the workshop into real implementable ideas and technologies. Highlights of TRB's completed, on-going and near future seismic and accelerated bridge construction research and coordination activities are briefly described.

Nationwide State of Practice and Advantages of ABC - Mary Lou Ralls-Newman (Ralls Newman, LLC)

An overview of bridge construction projects that have been completed to date across the nation using accelerated techniques and the benefits and challenges of using these techniques will be discussed.

Seismic Connections for ABC Applications - Ray Wolfe (California Department of Transportation)

Provides an overview of relevant research efforts underway at various academic institutions across the country. Key areas discussed include ductile behavior of connection details for precast segmented columns, energy dissipation and self-centering models.

Successful Deployment of ABC - Bill Duguay (J.D. Abrams, LP)

A contractor's perspective: challenges owners, researchers and industry to develop repeatable, reliable, durable, and biddable connection details to facilitate ABC in moderate to high seismic zones. Simplicity and availability of specified technologies reduces risk. Contemplates contract vehicles as incentives for risk sharing and acceptance.

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Updated: 01/24/2018
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000