Showcase in New Hampshire is High Performer
New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Conference Center was setting for the latest in a series of showcases featuring high-performance concrete (HPC) bridges. The New Hampshire showcase was jointly sponsored by FHWA's Office of Technology Applications (OTA), the University of New Hampshire Technology Transfer Center, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.High-performance concrete showcases have been held in Texas, Nebraska, Virginia, Washington, and now New Nampshire. In addition, mini-showcases have been held in Louisiana and Georgia. During each showcase, participants get to share in the latest high-performance concrete research findings and lessons. People from States that have completed HPC projects share their experiences and learn from others. At least one showcase is already scheduled for next year. It will be held on February 18-20, 1998, in Colorado.
-- Terry Halkyard, (202) 366-6765.
New Deck Bridges Past with the Future
The new Alumadeck is durable, corrosion resistant, and is being installed in bridges like this one in Clarkville, VA. Armed with information obtained from examining a bridge built in 1934 and data from further testing completed by FHWA, Reynolds Metal Company and Hi-Steel Structures, Inc., are reintroducing aluminum as an important material for the bridge-building industry. Reynolds' research has culminated with the AlumadeckTM modular bridge deck system which features panels made from Reynolds extrusions that are shop-welded at Hi-Steel. The light-weight panels are produced with a two-part epoxy and a broadcast aggregate wearing surface which has been tested by Reynolds and by the bridge projects in the United States Oak Ridge National Laboratories.
Alumadeck can produce weight two bridges in Virginia. From these savings of up to 80 percent over a beginnings, Reynolds and FHWA conventional concrete deck while hope that aluminum will become a still supporting the same HS-20 live more competitive bridge-building loading. Aluminum structures also provide superior resistance to corrosion and require no painting or protective coating.
Corrosion resistance is evident in the Smithfield Street bridge in Pittsburgh. When the structure was rebuilt 60 years after its creation in 1934, Reynolds bought a 500-m section of the bridge to study the effects of corrosion and fatigue. Testing and forensic analysis showed minimal corrosion except for some galvanic action, especially where the superstructure met the abutment. Reynolds redesigned the new system using improved welding techniques, an improved aluminum alloy, and a state-of-the-art wearing surface.
In the last 10 years about 40 aluminum deck bridges have been built in Nordic countries; aluminum bridge projects in the United States include the Corbin Bridge in Huntington, Pennsylvania, and two bridges in Virginia. From these beginnings, Reynolds and FHWA hope that aluminum will become a more competitive bridge-building material.
-- Steve Ernst, (202) 366-4619.Road roughness is one of the most important road surface characteristics. It indicates functional performance and structural condition. The World Road Association (PIARC) is undertaking a project to compare devices that measure transverse and/or longitudinal profile -- road roughness. The data collection phase of the "Second International Experiment to Harmonize Longitudinal and Transverse Profile Measurements" will take place during 1998 in three locations: Arizona, Japan, and Europe.
PIARC To Hold test Sessions
Data will be obtained in Arizona on 20 road and airfield sites during the period from April 20 to May 1. The profiles of the sites will be manually measured to obtain continuous profile records. Immediately after the manual profiles are obtained, the mobile devices will measure the sites. The purpose is to compare the results of different equipment and different methods.
Suppliers of profiling devices are encouraged to participate in the Arizona tests. (It is not necessary to participate in more than one.) Those interested in participating should send a request to John J. Henry, P.O. Box 84, Huntingdon, PA 16652; jjhenry@aol.com.
-- Roger Larson.
