Member-level Redundancy in Built-up Steel Members

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(253)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Aug 02, 2011
Solicitation Number: 1290
Partners: Army Corps of Engineers, FHWA, IADOT, MN, NY, OR, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: May 31, 2018
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2019
Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2018
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $600,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Tommy Nantung
tnantung@indot.in.gov
Phone: 765-463-1521 ext 248
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Justin Ocel
justin.ocel@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 281-8213
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Army Corps of Engineers $0.00
Federal Highway Administration 2011 $190,000.00 Justin Ocel Justin Ocel
Iowa Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- --
Iowa Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- --
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2011 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen
New York State Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang
New York State Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang
New York State Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang
New York State Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang
Oregon Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Steven Lovejoy Michael Bufalino
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2015 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2011 $75,000.00 Keith Fulton Michael Patritch

Study Description

Presently, bridges and members classified as fracture-critical consume a significant portion of inspection resources due to the mandatory 24 month, arms-length inspection. The indirect costs associated with these inspections (equipment, highly trained personnel, user costs, etc.) can be substantial. For example, TxDOT estimated that in urban areas, the indirect cost to the public is about $11,000 per lane per hour of lane closure. The policies revolving around fracture-critical bridges are over 30 years old and date to a time when little was known about fracture mechanics and system behavior, and steel was not manufactured to the same quality as it is today. The ¿Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges¿ course offered by the National Highway Institute strictly teaches attendees that fracture critical members are members either partially or wholly in tension that have no load path redundancy, ignoring the role of structural and internal member redundancies. According to NCHRP Synthesis 354, at least some of the surveyed states recognize the role of internal redundancy, but a great many do not. There is a strong need to evaluate the role of internal member redundancy in the evaluation of fracture-critical members for proper classification and application of inspection protocol.

Objectives

The Federal Highway Administration currently has the authority to allow owners to forego fracture-critical inspection for low redundancy bridge structures on a case-by-case basis if supported by a rigorous damage analysis as per AASHTO LRFD. However, since there is limited experimental data specifically focused on this issue, using internal redundancy as the sole measure of redundancy cannot be approved by FHWA at this time. Hence, specific research is needed that can be used to evaluate the potential for a fracture propagating from one mechanically fastened element to another in a built-up member as well as the effects on the fatigue resistance of the faulted member. Furthermore, there is no known research that has quantified the energy release (and resulting loads on the remaining section) that is likely to occur during such a fracture event. This project will explore whether internally redundant members (either mechanically fastened built-up members, or those with parallel elements) do posses the internal arrest mechanisms to safely carry loads during and after a fracture event considering one of multiple elements are fractured. The project will be primarily based on full-scale specimens subjected to various fracture simulations for the purposes of gaining deeper understanding of the energy release, load redistribution, and subsequent fatigue resistance of damaged section. However, analytical studies will also be conducted to assist in the development of code-ready assessment methodologies. The project will also assess the role of inspection technique and frequency for internally redundant members considering the research may show they do not fit the AASHTO definition of fracture-critical. Obtaining experimental data in a controlled fashion will provide the needed evidence to establish if internal member redundancy is a reliable redundancy measure to use for collapse prevention in a fracture-critical assessment. This will improve the ability to properly allocate limited bridge inspection resources and improve overall safety of the nation¿s infrastructure.

Scope of Work

¿ Perform a literature review to document past internal redundancy research and all case studies of bridges that sustained fractures that were arrested by an internal redundancy mechanism. In addition, the approaches used in other industries, which use similar redundancy concepts, will be examined. ¿ Develop a test program that can be used to assess the static, dynamic, and fatigue strength of built-up members with fractured elements. The project will seek to obtain components from decommissioned bridges to use in the testing. This could include, but not be limited to riveted and bolted built-up I-shapes, boxes, or tubs. Large fatigue cracks will be grown in one or multiple elements of the member and then suddenly overloaded to induce the fracture event. If entire bridge components cannot be attained, specimens will have to be fabricated using either modern steel, or large web plates removed older bridges. Testing may also include small-scale testing that can be performed in a universal testing machine with or without a temperature chamber. The need for low-temperature testing will also be considered. ¿ Develop analytic techniques for assessing the static, dynamic, and fatigue strength of fractured built-up members. The models will be calibrated using the data obtained from the experimental studies. Parametric studies will be performed to investigate parameters not included in the experimental matrix. The parametric studies will cover fastener pretension, scale effects, load/shear transfer between elements/fasteners and associated local stress amplifications, etc. ¿ Evaluate the need for future hands-on ¿FC¿ in-service inspection as well as guidance on the interval and scope of such inspections. This evaluation will include and consider the potential for future fatigue cracking in the faulted state. Deliverables: The research will result in the following: ¿ Draft ballot-ready language, equations, and commentary for inclusion into the AASHTO LRFD and Manual for Bridge Evaluation. The objective is to provide guidance on how to design, analyze, and detail new bridges and evaluative existing bridges to ensure member level redundancy is a reliable technique for collapse prevention in bridges and members traditionally classified as fracture-critical. It is presently envisioned that new and existing bridges will need to be treated differently. ¿ Recommendations regarding the need for future hands-on ¿FC¿ in-service inspection as well as guidance on the interval and scope of such inspections for bridges with built up members. This evaluation will include and consider the potential for future fatigue cracking in the faulted state.

Comments

Estimated cost: $500,000 Requested funding is $25,000 per year, for 3 years. One-time contributions will also be accepted.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
TPF-5(253) Closeout Letter TPF-5(253) Close Out Letter.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2019-07-15
TPF-5(253) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(253) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Other Public 2019-07-10
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2018 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2018 2nd quarter.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2018-09-18
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2018 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2018 1st quarter.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2018-05-31
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2017 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2017 4th quarter.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2018-09-18
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2017 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2017 3rd quarter.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2018-09-18
TPF 5(253) Final Report_Member-Level Redundancy of Built-up Members Phase II - Axially-Loaded Members TPF 5(253) Final Report Member-Level Redundancy of Built-up Members Phase II - Axially-Loaded Member Deliverable Final Report Public 2018-09-13
TPF 5(253) Final Report Member‐level Redundancy of Built‐up Steel Members Phase I -Members Subjected to Flexure sm TPF 5(253) Final Report Member‐level Redundancy of Built‐up Steel Members Phase I -Members Subjecte Deliverable Final Report Public 2015-12-31
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2017 TPF 5(253) Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2017.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2017-06-11
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Oct - Dec 2016.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2017-01-03
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Jul - Sept 2016.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2017-01-03
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Apr - Jun 2016.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2016-08-12
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2016 TPF 5(253) Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2016.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2016-06-30
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2015 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Oct - December 2015.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2016-02-27
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Jul to Sept 2015.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-11-26
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report April to June 2015.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-08-31
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2015.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-05-12
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to December 2014.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-02-19
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report July to September 2014.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-11-01
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report April to June 2014.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-07-31
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2014.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-04-30
Quarterly Progress Report: October -December 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2013.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-01-31
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report June to September 2013.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-11-14
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2013 TPF-5(258) Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2013.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-08-02
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2013.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-06-05
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2012 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2012.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-01-18
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2012 Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-12-28
Quarterly Progress Report: March - June 2012 TPF 5(253) - QPR - March to June 2012.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-07-31
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2012 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2012.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-04-10
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2011 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2011.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-02-10
Acceptance Letter TPF-5(253) Aceptance Letter.pdf Other Other Public 2011-10-18

No document attached.

Member-level Redundancy in Built-up Steel Members

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(253)
Lead Organization: Indiana Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Aug 02, 2011
Solicitation Number: 1290
Partners: Army Corps of Engineers, FHWA, IADOT, MN, NY, OR, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: May 31, 2018
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2019
Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2018
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Total Commitments Received: $600,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Tommy Nantung
tnantung@indot.in.gov
Phone: 765-463-1521 ext 248
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Justin Ocel
justin.ocel@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 281-8213
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Federal Highway Administration 2011 $190,000.00 Justin Ocel Justin Ocel (202) 281-8213 justin.ocel@dot.gov
Iowa Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Michael Nop -- -- -- Transfer.Research@iowadot.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2011 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Todd Niemann Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Sreenivas Alampalli Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
Oregon Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Steven Lovejoy Michael Bufalino 503-986-2845 Michael.Bufalino@odot.oregon.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2012 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2013 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2014 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2015 $25,000.00 Alex Pence Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2011 $75,000.00 Keith Fulton Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us

Study Description

Study Description

Presently, bridges and members classified as fracture-critical consume a significant portion of inspection resources due to the mandatory 24 month, arms-length inspection. The indirect costs associated with these inspections (equipment, highly trained personnel, user costs, etc.) can be substantial. For example, TxDOT estimated that in urban areas, the indirect cost to the public is about $11,000 per lane per hour of lane closure. The policies revolving around fracture-critical bridges are over 30 years old and date to a time when little was known about fracture mechanics and system behavior, and steel was not manufactured to the same quality as it is today. The ¿Fracture Critical Inspection Techniques for Steel Bridges¿ course offered by the National Highway Institute strictly teaches attendees that fracture critical members are members either partially or wholly in tension that have no load path redundancy, ignoring the role of structural and internal member redundancies. According to NCHRP Synthesis 354, at least some of the surveyed states recognize the role of internal redundancy, but a great many do not. There is a strong need to evaluate the role of internal member redundancy in the evaluation of fracture-critical members for proper classification and application of inspection protocol.

Objectives

The Federal Highway Administration currently has the authority to allow owners to forego fracture-critical inspection for low redundancy bridge structures on a case-by-case basis if supported by a rigorous damage analysis as per AASHTO LRFD. However, since there is limited experimental data specifically focused on this issue, using internal redundancy as the sole measure of redundancy cannot be approved by FHWA at this time. Hence, specific research is needed that can be used to evaluate the potential for a fracture propagating from one mechanically fastened element to another in a built-up member as well as the effects on the fatigue resistance of the faulted member. Furthermore, there is no known research that has quantified the energy release (and resulting loads on the remaining section) that is likely to occur during such a fracture event. This project will explore whether internally redundant members (either mechanically fastened built-up members, or those with parallel elements) do posses the internal arrest mechanisms to safely carry loads during and after a fracture event considering one of multiple elements are fractured. The project will be primarily based on full-scale specimens subjected to various fracture simulations for the purposes of gaining deeper understanding of the energy release, load redistribution, and subsequent fatigue resistance of damaged section. However, analytical studies will also be conducted to assist in the development of code-ready assessment methodologies. The project will also assess the role of inspection technique and frequency for internally redundant members considering the research may show they do not fit the AASHTO definition of fracture-critical. Obtaining experimental data in a controlled fashion will provide the needed evidence to establish if internal member redundancy is a reliable redundancy measure to use for collapse prevention in a fracture-critical assessment. This will improve the ability to properly allocate limited bridge inspection resources and improve overall safety of the nation¿s infrastructure.

Scope of Work

¿ Perform a literature review to document past internal redundancy research and all case studies of bridges that sustained fractures that were arrested by an internal redundancy mechanism. In addition, the approaches used in other industries, which use similar redundancy concepts, will be examined. ¿ Develop a test program that can be used to assess the static, dynamic, and fatigue strength of built-up members with fractured elements. The project will seek to obtain components from decommissioned bridges to use in the testing. This could include, but not be limited to riveted and bolted built-up I-shapes, boxes, or tubs. Large fatigue cracks will be grown in one or multiple elements of the member and then suddenly overloaded to induce the fracture event. If entire bridge components cannot be attained, specimens will have to be fabricated using either modern steel, or large web plates removed older bridges. Testing may also include small-scale testing that can be performed in a universal testing machine with or without a temperature chamber. The need for low-temperature testing will also be considered. ¿ Develop analytic techniques for assessing the static, dynamic, and fatigue strength of fractured built-up members. The models will be calibrated using the data obtained from the experimental studies. Parametric studies will be performed to investigate parameters not included in the experimental matrix. The parametric studies will cover fastener pretension, scale effects, load/shear transfer between elements/fasteners and associated local stress amplifications, etc. ¿ Evaluate the need for future hands-on ¿FC¿ in-service inspection as well as guidance on the interval and scope of such inspections. This evaluation will include and consider the potential for future fatigue cracking in the faulted state. Deliverables: The research will result in the following: ¿ Draft ballot-ready language, equations, and commentary for inclusion into the AASHTO LRFD and Manual for Bridge Evaluation. The objective is to provide guidance on how to design, analyze, and detail new bridges and evaluative existing bridges to ensure member level redundancy is a reliable technique for collapse prevention in bridges and members traditionally classified as fracture-critical. It is presently envisioned that new and existing bridges will need to be treated differently. ¿ Recommendations regarding the need for future hands-on ¿FC¿ in-service inspection as well as guidance on the interval and scope of such inspections for bridges with built up members. This evaluation will include and consider the potential for future fatigue cracking in the faulted state.

Comments

Estimated cost: $500,000 Requested funding is $25,000 per year, for 3 years. One-time contributions will also be accepted.

Title File/Link Type Private
TPF-5(253) Closeout Letter TPF-5(253) Close Out Letter.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(253) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(253) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2017 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2017 3rd quarter.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2017 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2017 4th quarter.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2018 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2018 2nd quarter.pdf Progress Report Public
TPF 5(253) Final Report_Member-Level Redundancy of Built-up Members Phase II - Axially-Loaded Members TPF 5(253) Final Report Member-Level Redundancy of Built-up Members Phase II - Axially-Loaded Member Deliverable Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2018 TPF 5-253 - QPR - 2018 1st quarter.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2017 TPF 5(253) Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2017.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Jul - Sept 2016.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Oct - Dec 2016.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2016 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Apr - Jun 2016.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Jan - Mar 2016 TPF 5(253) Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2016.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2015 TPF-5(253) Quarterly Report Oct - December 2015.pdf Progress Report Public
TPF 5(253) Final Report Member‐level Redundancy of Built‐up Steel Members Phase I -Members Subjected to Flexure sm TPF 5(253) Final Report Member‐level Redundancy of Built‐up Steel Members Phase I -Members Subjecte Deliverable Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Jul to Sept 2015.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report April to June 2015.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2015 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2015.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: Oct - December 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to December 2014.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report July to September 2014.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report April to June 2014.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2014 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2014.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: October -December 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2013.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report June to September 2013.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2013 TPF-5(258) Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2013.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2013 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2013.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2012 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2012.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2012 Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: March - June 2012 TPF 5(253) - QPR - March to June 2012.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2012 TPF 5(253) Progress Report January to March 2012.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2011 TPF 5(253) Progress Report Oct to Dec 2011.pdf Progress Report Public
Acceptance Letter TPF-5(253) Aceptance Letter.pdf Other Public
No document attached.

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