(dynamic music) (logo whooshing)
- [Narrator] Sometimes, interventions intended to make
bridges safer and passable,
like the use of deicing chemicals in the winter,
can contribute to increased corrosion
of bridge structural components.
The Center for Transportation Research
at the University of Texas in Austin
assessed the use of integral
and semi-integral bridge abutments,
which are popular nationwide,
due to the reduced installation time,
and the reported decreased maintenance
and repair costs associated with
bridge deck joints and bearings.
- The conventional bridges have joints.
These joints are very expensive to maintain.
And they are particularly problematic when we use deicing.
And this causes significant deterioration,
and maintenance problems.
So, one solution is, let's get rid of the joints.
So that's what this project does.
It essentially evaluates a type of bridge
that is very good for maintenance purposes,
no joints, but this has geotechnical implications
that we need to take care of.
- The research is in two parts.
The first part was done in the laboratory.
It was done at the University of Texas Austin
Research Laboratory, where we had to do the mini scale
of the bridge to test all the parameters.
And upon completion of that,
those parameters were implemented on an actual bridge
to evaluate and to see how things
that were done in the laboratory,
how they perform on the real-life bridge project.
- TxDOT constructed semi integral bridges.
These were in Wichita Falls.
Essentially, there were many instruments
and sensors placed in these different components
of the bridge, in the bridge deck, in the bridge abutment,
in the foundation that there were drill shafts.
So they were all instrumented.
And we're able to track versus time
and changes in temperature,
what are the lateral movements?
What are the forces or stresses
acting on the different components?
What are the strains?
And we have long records, a huge volume of data
on how the different components of semi-integral bridges
behave with the passage of time,
and with the changes in temperature
- [Niyi] Based on the research outcomes,
we found that this research can solve major problem
due to corrosion that deteriorated the bridge faster,
and can also reduce the cost of maintenance.
- In this case, there were very good reasons,
particularly where the climate is comparatively colder,
to get rid of those joints.
That will decrease potentially significantly
maintenance costs.
This project made that possible.
It gave us the design parameters, the loads, the performance
that we need to know about this new technology
in order for us to optimize the design
of the future bridges.
And this is being built right now
in several districts in Texas.
- [Narrator] For more information,
and to find the publications for this project,
please visit the TxDOT Research Library
at the link shown below.