Accelerated bridge construction

Abstract

Traffic and city congestions become a serious problem for an increasing number of cities around the world. Developing and building efficient infrastructure systems is a critical issue and of top priority for many governments, states, and private organizations. Elevated highways and light rail systems are one of the many ways to relieve traffic and allow people to move faster from place to place. It is vital to construct these structures faster and with minimal traffic interruptions. This paper will discuss various construction methods and techniques that were successfully implemented for the construction of numerous elevated bridge structures. The focus of the paper is on the erection methods for construction of precast segmental structures. The practical experience from large transportation projects will summarize and outline the advantages and disadvantages of span-by-span construction method versus balanced cantilever construction and the use of overhead erection gantry versus underslung girder. The methods and techniques discussed have been used in projects such as Kaneohe in Hawaii, Bang Na Bang Pli, a 54km expressway, and BTS, a 36km light rail structure, which are both in Bangkok, Sky Train Millennium, a 14km Guide-way, in Vancouver and Tren Urbano, a 12km elevated guide way, in Puerto Rico. The paper will discuss how the speed of construction and potential traffic interruption are effecting the selection of the erection method. © 2006 by School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology.