Implementation of sustainability in bridge design, construction and maintenance.

PDFTech ReportRC-15862010-0294Highway bridgesBridge constructionSustainable developmentBridge designMaintenanceDelphi methodLife cycle analysisMichiganMichigan. Dept. of TransportationKorkmaz, Kasim ArmaganSyal, MattHarichandran, Ronald S.Korkmaz, SinemUniversity of Michigan. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Bridges and StructuresNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-Construction and MaintenanceUS Transportation CollectionThe focus of this research is to develop a framework for more sustainable design and constructionprocesses for new bridges, and sustainable maintenance practices for existing bridges. The frameworkincludes a green rating system for bridges. The green rating system is divided into three sections, whichare design, construction and maintenance. The three sections are further divided into various criteria. Foreach criterion the description, intent, and requirements have been established. The requirements wereestablished after reviewing various industry standards. The Delphi survey was conducted at MDOTdivisions to assign point values to sections and the criteria. The results of the Delphi survey and scorecardof the rating system are shown in the relevant appendix and/or sections. The certification levels for therating system are established to categorize sustainable bridges. A bridge can be categorized as Non-Green,Certified, Green, Total Green, and Evergreen, depending on the total score obtained by the project. LCAand LCCA guidelines are also developed to support the sustainability of bridge projects. LCA guidelinesinclude the steps to calculate GHG emissions in a bridge project. It was made an inventory of constructionmaterials and equipment that can be used in bridge projects, and found their emission factors in literature,historical databases, or by using computer tools. Certain products emit less GHG compared toconventional products. Recycled materials such as fly ash, blast furnace slag cement, high performanceconcrete, and steel produce much less emissions than traditional materials. Sustainable products are listedalong with their emission factors and can be used to calculate GHG emissions. LCCA guidelines includesteps to calculate the life cycle cost of bridges