[Learning from Civil Engineering Disasters on Bridges]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Civil Engineering Disasters in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Civil Engineering Disasters and its relation on bridges. The research also analyzes many aspects of bridges disasters and tries to gauge its effect on civil engineering. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for failure of bridges and tries to describe the overall effect of Civil Engineering Disasters and its relation on bridges and its reasons for failure.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction1

Background of Study2

Background2

The Federal Highway3

Scope of the study4

Post-Tensioning6

Concrete Confinement and Retrofit Techniques7

Aim and Objectives7

Objective of Study8

Scope and Limitation8

Benefits of the Study9

Tasks9

Objectives10

Risks and constructions:10

Accidents and failures11

Risks and buildings: some of the panorama14

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW16

Introduction16

New work strategies to reduce risk Design Build16

Lean Construction16

Computers17

Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC)18

The Tay Bridge Disaster19

Causes of the Failure20

Lessons Learned21

Silver Bridge22

Consequences23

Causes of Failure25

I-35W Over Mississippi River Bridge26

Causes of Failure28

Enabling Causes32

Triggering Causes33

Procedural Causes33

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY35

Confrontation With The Case35

Evaluate Information35

For Exploration And Resolution Of Action36

Oral Defense Of The Action Proposals36

Collation With The Reality36

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS OF RESULTS38

Introduction38

Statistics of Bridge Failure38

Failure Cause Number Of Bridges Percentage (%) Collision 17 10.40

25 Year Urban Rural Total Increase in Bridge Construction Percentage Increase43

Year Urban Rural Total Increase in Bridge Construction Percentage Increase (%)44

Classification of Bridges by Type of Structure45

Damage Stage of Bridges46

Discussion47

Enabling Causes48

Symbol Enabling Causes E148

Triggering Causes49

Symbol Triggering Causes T149

Procedural Causes50

CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE WORK51

Summary51

Conclusion51

Recommendation52

Future Work52

REFERENCES53

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Bridges are designed to provide continuous ways over barriers. They are commonly constructed over highways, railways, deep valleys, roads, rivers, bodies of water, and other transportation routes. They may also carry power cables, telecommunication lines, and utility pipelines. Moreover, they are defined according to their functions, the nature of the terrain, and also with relation to where they are situated. There are eight different types of bridges: truss bridges, cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges, arch bridges, beam bridges, movable bridges, floating bridges, and cantilever bridges. A bridge can be built with a combination of two or more of the above designs. Each design differs in appearance, construction methods, materials used, and the overall budget expenses of the bridge (Zadeh 2001, p. 21). In its latest report, the National Bridge Inventory revealed that 599,893 bridges currently exist in the United States, and out of that large number of bridges, 153,543 (26%) were rated as substandard by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This number can be compared with the 2001 data when the percentage was 4 % lower. The age of the bridge is also a critical factor ...