00603596

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1990/1275/1275-011.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...RCIA&publication_year=1990

At present, interest is increasing in the evaluation of existing structures and the development of new and economical types of construction. This is a direct result of the rapid change in the environment and scarce financial resources, which necessitate the development of better and safer structures and expansion of the life of existing structures. Also, spectacular developments in computers have provided engineers with a powerful tool for modeling and analyzing complex structures on the basis of a variety of assumptions. The verification of these computer models can only be done through field and laboratory testing, which is now more important than ever before. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), recognizing the importance of structural research, undertook the creation of an engineering group dedicated to structural research and testing. The primary responsibilities of the structural research group are to conduct field and laboratory testing, evaluate existing bridges and structural components, and develop new design concepts and ways to cut construction cost and time. The state-of-the-art structural research laboratory therefore becomes an essential element in keeping FDOT in the engineering forefront. In this paper FDOT's current research program and available capabilities are described, and the necessary components for successful laboratory and field testing are discussed in detail. A brief description of research projects in which both laboratory and field testing were utilized to develop a new economical bridge system is given.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1275, Bridge Research 1990. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01411073

p. 76-80

1990

Transportation Research Record

0309050618

Figures (3) ; Photos (3) ; References (6)

Bridge design; Bridges; Cost effectiveness; Field tests; Laboratory tests; Research; State departments of transportation; Structural analysis; Structural design; Technological innovations; Test facilities

Florida

Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Research; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 28 1991 12:00AM

• BRIDGE AT JOIGNY: HIGH-STRENGTH-CONCRETE EXPERIMENTAL BRIDGE
• CRACK DETECTION AT COVER PLATE ENDS AND WELDED SPLICES USING ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY
• DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF AN EXPERIMENTAL STRESSED-TIMBER T-BEAM BRIDGE
• INTEGRAL BRIDGES
• LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION IN THE TETRAFLUORETHYLENE SLIDE SURFACE OF A BRIDGE BEARING
• METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSMENT OF VESSEL IMPACT ENERGY ON BRIDGE PIERS AND SPANS
• MODELING FATIGUE LOADS FOR STEEL BRIDGES
• MOMENT-REDUCING HINGE DETAILS FOR THE BASES OF BRIDGE COLUMNS
• REVITALIZATION OF A SUITE OF BRIDGE ANALYSIS CODES (ABRIDGMENT)
• UNINTENDED COMPOSITE ACTION IN HIGHWAY BRIDGES
• USE OF HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BOX BEAMS FOR HIGHWAY BRIDGES
• WEST SEATTLE SWING BRIDGE
• WHEEL-LOAD DISTRIBUTION RESULTS FROM AISI-FHWA MODEL BRIDGE STUDY