Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(216)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 1239
Partners: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FHWA, GGBA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2022
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $1,974,697.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Sheila Duwadi
sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 493-3106
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Vincent Chiarito
vincent.chiarito@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-4621
Study Champion(s): Vincent Chiarito
vincent.chiarito@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-4621
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Federal Highway Administration 2009 $200,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi
Federal Highway Administration 2011 $83,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi
Federal Highway Administration 2012 $600,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District 2013 $341,697.00 Chuck Voong Chuck Voong
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2009 $750,000.00 John Fortune John Fortune

Study Description

Large bridges can be demolished by explosives. Although this has long been useful, it presents an opportunity for a large terrorist attack as well. The first steps to eliminate this deficiency were taken in a FHWA National Pooled-Fund study on steel multi-cell towers conducted by the Engineer Research and Development Center of the Army Corps of Engineers. Next, work on suspender cables and on cable-stay bridge elements, was started under DHS sponsorship. Examination of suspension bridge countermeasures was also done - although on a limited basis - under DHS sponsorship. Limited work on concrete bridge piers was conducted under an NCHRP study. Despite these encouraging starts, bridges are still under-represented in counterterrorism research, and remain vulnerable. The experience of the early stage of research, as well as the feedback from field evaluations, countermeasure design, and construction projects, have provided a more detailed picture of the needs to be addressed in the next phase of research. Physical testing, to date, has employed specimens built specifically for the study, that is, specimens constructed with modern steel alloys and bolted or welded connections. The specimens, because they are new, are also in pristine condition at the time of testing. A useful extension of this test program would encompass early 20th Century alloys, riveted connections, gusset plates, built-up cross-sections, and decades of environmental and traffic loading (In particular, irregular effects of corrosion and uneven live load stresses). Modeling the behavior of bridge towers, main cables, and suspender ropes is still done on a case-by-case basis. Developing this area would also increase our ability to implement countermeasures on other bridges in the field and be a useful step in developing countermeasures for the most vulnerable components on other types of bridges as well.

Objectives

1] To increase the resistance of suspension bridges to an attack on any of their three major components: Towers; Main Cables; Suspenders. 2] To extend the testing started in Pooled Fund Project 888, Validation of Numerical Modeling and Analysis of Steel Bridge Towers Subjected to Blast Loadings, to include older types of materials and connection details, and varying material conditions. 3] To develop high performance/lower intrusion countermeasure designs. The low intrusion is significant to bridge owners because the retrofit must not produce material degradation (e.g., corrosion), interfere with the operation of previously-installed mitigation measures for other hazards (e.g., seismic), or obstruct normal maintenance/inspection operations.

Scope of Work

Experimental and analytical work will verify and calibrate: 1) Predictions of member behavior; 2) Performance of current mitigation measures; and, 3) Performance of new design concepts and materials subjected to the loads outlined below. The test loads will replicate vehicle bombs or other standoff charges; hand-emplaced breaching charges, cutting charges, and mechanical cutting, as required. Explosive tests are to be conducted in a secure environment at a USACE test facility. The study will include both small- and large-scale testing of steel suspension bridge elements, their connections, and, where practical, assembled groups of bridge elements. The response of early 20th century steel members to these loadings will be determined. Specimens for this portion will be obtained from bridges to be demolished: The Waldo-Hancock Bridge (Maine), the Crown Point Bridge (NY-Vt), and the Ft. Stueben Bridge (Ohio-WV). A limited on-site study, outlined in a prior FHWA funding request, was conducted under DHS sponsorship, and will be continued under this study. The study of both retrofit designs and retrofit materials are within the scope. Retrofit methods include: External and internal tower reinforcement and energy routing; Main cable wrapping; Suspender replacement materials; and energy-absorbing suspender sockets. Design issues to be considered include the typically severe size and weight limitations found on existing structures, as well as the need to address practical construction- and maintenance-imposed restrictions. The performance of advanced materials will be specifically assessed. This includes material combinations beyond those considered under Pooled Fund Project 888.

Comments

Recommended Funding: $2,500,000 Task 1: $1,200,000 Task 2: 750,000 Task 3: 500,000 Task 4: 50,000 Suggested minimum contribution: $50,000 per year

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Final Spreadsheet closout of TPF5(216) spreadsheet copy.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2022-10-21
Closeout Memo FHWA Led Closeout Memo T-5(216).pdf Memorandum Other Public 2022-10-21
SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL REPORTS completed under TPF 5(216) Study Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL REPORTS completed under TPF 5(216) Study Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability Other Other Public 2022-09-27
Progress Report - April-June 2014 TPF(5)216-2014-2.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-07-28
Progress Report - January-March 2014 TPF(5)216-2014-1.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-05-30
Progress Report - July-September 2012 TPF(5)216-2012-3.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-10-31
Progress Report - January-March 2012 TPF(5)216-2012-1.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-05-23
Progress Report - October-December 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-4.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-01-31
Progress Report - July-September 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-3.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-10-11
Progress Report - April - June 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-2.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-07-14
Progress Report - January - March 2011 http://pooledfund.org/documents/TPF-5_216/TPF(5)216-2011-1.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-04-18
Progress Report - October - December 2010 http://pooledfund.org/documents/TPF-5_216/TPF(5)216-2010-4.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-04-18
Progress Report - July - September 2010 http://pooledfund.org/documents/TPF-5_216/TPF(5)216-2010-3.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-04-18
Progress Report - April - June 2010 http://pooledfund.org/documents/TPF-5_216/TPF(5)216-2010-2.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-04-18
Progress Report - January-March 2010 QuarterlyReportTPF-5(216).pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2010-06-10
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures 1239.pdf TPF Study Documentation Solicitation Public 2011-09-25

Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(216)
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 1239
Partners: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FHWA, GGBA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2022
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Total Commitments Received: $1,974,697.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Sheila Duwadi
sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 493-3106
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Vincent Chiarito
vincent.chiarito@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-4621
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Federal Highway Administration 2009 $200,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi 202- 493-3106 sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2011 $83,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi 202- 493-3106 sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2012 $600,000.00 Eric Munley Sheila Duwadi 202- 493-3106 sheila.duwadi@dot.gov
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District 2013 $341,697.00 Chuck Voong Chuck Voong CVoong@goldengate.org
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2009 $750,000.00 John Fortune John Fortune john.fortune@dhs.gov

Study Description

Study Description

Large bridges can be demolished by explosives. Although this has long been useful, it presents an opportunity for a large terrorist attack as well. The first steps to eliminate this deficiency were taken in a FHWA National Pooled-Fund study on steel multi-cell towers conducted by the Engineer Research and Development Center of the Army Corps of Engineers. Next, work on suspender cables and on cable-stay bridge elements, was started under DHS sponsorship. Examination of suspension bridge countermeasures was also done - although on a limited basis - under DHS sponsorship. Limited work on concrete bridge piers was conducted under an NCHRP study. Despite these encouraging starts, bridges are still under-represented in counterterrorism research, and remain vulnerable. The experience of the early stage of research, as well as the feedback from field evaluations, countermeasure design, and construction projects, have provided a more detailed picture of the needs to be addressed in the next phase of research. Physical testing, to date, has employed specimens built specifically for the study, that is, specimens constructed with modern steel alloys and bolted or welded connections. The specimens, because they are new, are also in pristine condition at the time of testing. A useful extension of this test program would encompass early 20th Century alloys, riveted connections, gusset plates, built-up cross-sections, and decades of environmental and traffic loading (In particular, irregular effects of corrosion and uneven live load stresses). Modeling the behavior of bridge towers, main cables, and suspender ropes is still done on a case-by-case basis. Developing this area would also increase our ability to implement countermeasures on other bridges in the field and be a useful step in developing countermeasures for the most vulnerable components on other types of bridges as well.

Objectives

1] To increase the resistance of suspension bridges to an attack on any of their three major components: Towers; Main Cables; Suspenders. 2] To extend the testing started in Pooled Fund Project 888, Validation of Numerical Modeling and Analysis of Steel Bridge Towers Subjected to Blast Loadings, to include older types of materials and connection details, and varying material conditions. 3] To develop high performance/lower intrusion countermeasure designs. The low intrusion is significant to bridge owners because the retrofit must not produce material degradation (e.g., corrosion), interfere with the operation of previously-installed mitigation measures for other hazards (e.g., seismic), or obstruct normal maintenance/inspection operations.

Scope of Work

Experimental and analytical work will verify and calibrate: 1) Predictions of member behavior; 2) Performance of current mitigation measures; and, 3) Performance of new design concepts and materials subjected to the loads outlined below. The test loads will replicate vehicle bombs or other standoff charges; hand-emplaced breaching charges, cutting charges, and mechanical cutting, as required. Explosive tests are to be conducted in a secure environment at a USACE test facility. The study will include both small- and large-scale testing of steel suspension bridge elements, their connections, and, where practical, assembled groups of bridge elements. The response of early 20th century steel members to these loadings will be determined. Specimens for this portion will be obtained from bridges to be demolished: The Waldo-Hancock Bridge (Maine), the Crown Point Bridge (NY-Vt), and the Ft. Stueben Bridge (Ohio-WV). A limited on-site study, outlined in a prior FHWA funding request, was conducted under DHS sponsorship, and will be continued under this study. The study of both retrofit designs and retrofit materials are within the scope. Retrofit methods include: External and internal tower reinforcement and energy routing; Main cable wrapping; Suspender replacement materials; and energy-absorbing suspender sockets. Design issues to be considered include the typically severe size and weight limitations found on existing structures, as well as the need to address practical construction- and maintenance-imposed restrictions. The performance of advanced materials will be specifically assessed. This includes material combinations beyond those considered under Pooled Fund Project 888.

Comments

Recommended Funding: $2,500,000 Task 1: $1,200,000 Task 2: 750,000 Task 3: 500,000 Task 4: 50,000 Suggested minimum contribution: $50,000 per year

Title File/Link Type Private
Final Spreadsheet closout of TPF5(216) spreadsheet copy.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Closeout Memo FHWA Led Closeout Memo T-5(216).pdf Memorandum Public
SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL REPORTS completed under TPF 5(216) Study Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL REPORTS completed under TPF 5(216) Study Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability Other Public
Progress Report - April-June 2014 TPF(5)216-2014-2.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - January-March 2014 TPF(5)216-2014-1.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - July-September 2012 TPF(5)216-2012-3.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - January-March 2012 TPF(5)216-2012-1.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - October-December 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-4.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - July-September 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-3.docx Progress Report Public
Progress Report - April - June 2011 TPF(5)216-2011-2.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report - April - June 2010 Progress Report Public
Progress Report - July - September 2010 Progress Report Public
Progress Report - October - December 2010 Progress Report Public
Progress Report - January - March 2011 Progress Report Public
Progress Report - January-March 2010 QuarterlyReportTPF-5(216).pdf Progress Report Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Steel Suspension Bridge Vulnerability and Countermeasures 1239.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public

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