Bridge temporary works research program

Public Roads, Sept, 1991 by Sheila Rimal Duwadi

The task group sees a definite need to develop a certification/quality control program for products supplied to job sites. This would include the manufacturer if the manufacturer is the supplier.

Develop construction manual

The last task to be performed under the research program is the development of a bridge temporary works construction manual. Because some States have comprehensive construction manuals, this task has been deferred until the task group can determine if it is necessary to develop an original manual or an existing State manual can be adopted for use.

Summary

The collapse of the falsework on the Route 198 overpass over the Baltimore-Washington Parkway precipitated an official recommendation that the FHWA develop better specifications and guidelines. Several subsequent falsework collapses--some design-related, others the result of poor construction practices--have underscored the need for such specifications and guidelines.

The end products of the FHWA program will be a synthesis of all codes and specifications dealing with the subject, a standard specification, and a design manual on bridge temporary works with comprehensive commentaries, and--if necessary--a construction manual. These products are being developed with input from representatives of AASHTO, private industry, and the FHWA. The work of the task group should be completed by December 1992.

Scaffolding, Shoring, and Forming Task Group

Federal Highway Administration Robert L. Nickerson Sheila Rimal Duwadi James Hoblitzell Donald W. Miller William S. Cross James F. Hare

Transportation Research Board Ian M. Friedland

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials James M. Stout Donald Flemming

Associated General Contractors Damian Hill Robert Desjardins

American Road and Transportation Builders Association Kent Starwalt Richard F. Hoffman

Scaffolding, Shoring, and Forming Institute Ramon Cook (1)Italic numbers in parentheses identify references on page 40.

PHOTO : Figure 1.--Collapsed Route 198 overpass on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

PHOTO : Figure 2.--Lake Street-Marshall Avenue bridge near St. Paul Minnesota.

PHOTO : Figure 3.--I 880 and SR 238 interchange before collapse.

PHOTO : Figure 4.--I 880 and SR 238 interchange after collapse.

PHOTO : Figure 5.--FHWA Bridge Temporary Works Research Program.

References

[1]FHWA Board of Review. Report of the Investigation into the Collapse of the Route 198 Baltimore-Washington Parkway Bridge, Publication No. PR-90-001, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, December 1989. [2]"Investigation of Construction Failure Maryland Route No. 198 Bridge Over the Baltimore-Washington Parkway," Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, Senate Report No. 101-398, 101st Congress, 2nd Session, 1991. [3]"Falsework Design Takes Rap," Engineering News-Record, Vol. 225, No. 15, October 11, 1990, p. 13. [4]Bellevue Interchange, Phase 2, Investigation of Falsework Failure, Publication No. F-370-7(113), Wells Engineers, Inc., Omaha, NE, September 5, 1990. [5]The FHWA Weekly Report to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, July 20, 1990. [6]The FHWA Weekly Report to the Secretary of Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, October 12, 1990. [7]Synthesis of Falsework, Formwork, and Scaffolding for Highway Bridge Structures, Publication No. FHWA-RD-91-062, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, September 1991.