Innovative Bridge Research Program: Building for the Future
Building bridges that last longer and require less maintenance, thus
reducing the traffic congestion and disruption resulting from bridge
construction and rehabilitation projects, are the primary goals behind
the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Innovative Bridge Research
and Construction Program (IBRC). Established in 1998 by the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the 6-year program provides
funding to help State and local transportation agencies use innovative
materials for bridge repair, rehabilitation, replacement, and construction.
As stated in TEA-21, the program's objectives include developing:
The program
also has the goal of reducing the maintenance and life-cycle costs of
bridges, including the costs of new construction and the replacement
or rehabilitation of deficient bridges.
 |
| The deck on
this bridge on Maryland Highway 24 is being replaced with an FRP
composite deck. |
Since the program began, 157 bridge projects have been funded. "I don't
think there's any doubt we're seeing more interest from States in using
innovative materials and technologies," says John Hooks of FHWA. In
2000, the projects included the replacement of girders on a single span
bridge in Alabama with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite girders,
the use of high-performance concrete (HPC) for the deck slab and high-performance
steel (HPS) for the bridge plate girders of a new bridge in Connecticut,
and the incorporation of HPS plate girders into a Georgia bridge. FRP
composites are more corrosion-resistant than conventional materials,
as well as being more lightweight and easier to handle and install.
HPC is engineered to produce mixes that better meet the requirements
of specific bridge projects, while HPS is stronger, easier to weld,
and more resistant to corrosion than conventional steel.
Projects selected for FY 2001 funding include the use of HPS for the
girders and steel plate of a bridge in California, the incorporation
of FRP into the deck slab of a bridge in Iowa, and the use of HPC to
build the deck slab of a Chicago, Illinois, structure. Of the 157 projects
funded between 1998 and 2001, 84 used FRP, 30 involved HPC, 24 incorporated
alternate rebars such as corrosion-resistant steel and solid stainless
steel, 17 used HPS, and 20 incorporated a diverse range of other technologies
(note: some projects used more than one material).
TEA-21 authorized $108 million for the program, with $6 million of
that targeted for research and technology deployment activities. It
is expected that $17 million will be available each year for construction
projects until the program concludes in 2003.
Candidate projects for FY 2002 funding will be solicited beginning
in March of this year. The project solicitation will be sent to all
State departments of transportation and FHWA division offices and will
also be published on the IBRC Web site. While bridges on all public roads are eligible for IBRC funding, applications
must be submitted through a State department of transportation. The
selected projects will be announced in December 2001. The selection
criteria includes looking at whether the project meets one or more of
the program goals, incorporates materials or products that are readily
available, and is ready or nearly ready to proceed to the construction
phase.
More information can be found at the IBRC Web site. The site includes an overview of the program, a database of all the
projects that have been funded, and opportunities to participate in
an online discussion group and sign up for a list serve on new bridge
materials applications.
Other
articles in this issue:
Scour evaluations a key element in improving
bridge foundation design
In Brief
Innovative bridge research program: Building for the Future
Mobile concrete lab brings technology straight
to you
Technology champions for a new century
Highway technology calendar
The LTPP Forecast
