Abstract:This paper, from the Fourth US-Taiwan Bridge Engineering Workshop, describes the objectives and process of developing a database of bridge failures due to various multiple hazards. The development of ...This paper, from the Fourth US-Taiwan Bridge Engineering Workshop, describes the objectives and process of developing a database of bridge failures due to various multiple hazards. The development of a database is one of the subtasks of a current research project at University at Buffalo (UB) sponsored by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on multiple hazard design of highway bridges. Bridge failure is defined as loss of a structural component, loss of a bridge's basic functionality, a catastrophic bridge collapse, or any damage condition in between. A bridge can fail due to a variety of single or combination of reasons including material imperfection or aging, overload, insufficient capacity, construction error or improper maintenance. In order to carry out useful post event studies and to have useful information for future bridge engineering practice, adequate documentation of the damage or failure condition is needed. This requires a database primarily consisting of two types of information: the original design and construction information (e.g. the NBI) and the failure information (i.e. the NYDOT bridge failure database). The authors conclude that, for a short term objective, a bridge failure database can conveniently provide information to facilitate forensic studies of failure of the highway bridges, and for the calibration of the analytical model for development of extreme hazard load effect in LRFD. For a long term objective, a comprehensive bridge damage/collapse database (a National Repository) may be gradually established over time to benefit future bridge engineering practice.Read More
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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