Evaluation of Effects of Fire on the I-465 Mainline Bridges : Volume I [Technical Summary]

Technical summary.PDFBooklet/PamphletSPR-3474Environmental impactsFiresSteel bridgesGirdersLoad testsFatigue (Mechanics)IndianaPurdue University. Joint Transportation Research ProgramVarma, Amit H.Connor, Robert J.Purdue University. Joint Transportation Research ProgramIndiana. Dept. of TransportationNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Bridges and StructuresUS Transportation CollectionOn October 22, 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana, a semitanker carrying liquefied propane lost control on theunderpass from I-69 southbound to I-465 eastbound,crashing beneath the eastbound and westbound bridgescarrying mainline I-465 traffic. The semi rolled, causingthe tractor to catch fire and the propane tanker toexplode. As a result of the fire, the steel superstructurewas subjected to extreme temperatures; however, theduration of exposure and magnitude of these temperatureswas not accurately established. Thus, testing wasperformed to identify and document any short-term orlong-term effects that the fire may have had on the steelsuperstructure. Three primary tasks were performed aspart of the study:1. Quantify the effects of the fire on the properties ofthe structural steel.2. Quantify the effects of the fire on the properties ofthe high strength (HS) bolts.3. Quantify the effects of the fire on the overall behaviorof the bridge