Durability Assessment of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems

015702992015Final ReportPDFTech ReportMD-14-MSU-3-11SP309B4EPrefabricated bridgesDurabilityBridge constructionQuality assuranceQuality controlEvaluationInspectionResearch HubBridges and other structuresConstructionHighwaysI53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining WallsInspectionPrefabricated bridgesQuality assuranceQuality controlMarylandUnited StatesMid-Atlantic Universities Transportation CenterHead, MoniqueEfe, SteveGrose, SiafaDrumgoole, JerrellLajubutu, OladapoWright, RyanHansboro, Jr., TyroneMorgan State UniversityMaryland. State Highway Administration. Office of Policy & ResearchUS Transportation CollectionThis study aims to address some of the concerns related to implementation of prefabricated bridge elements and systems (PBES) and accelerated bridge construction (ABC) in Maryland, where some barriers included assessment of the quality and durability (long-term performance). While many states are considering the use of PBES/ABC projects to shorten onsite construction time, work zone and safety factors, and user costs, the quality and durability of PBES units produced for long-term benefit is of concern to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). Incomplete and noncompliant inspection processes and nonexistent waste management procedures not only affect the quality and durability of PBES units produced but can also drive costs and waste time. As such, this project focuses on the evaluation of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes during pre-production, fabrication, evaluation and transportation and storage of the PBES units. To aid in the evaluation process, work flow diagrams and decision framework were developed based on inspection checklists and incorporated into a database to guide precast plants during pre-production, fabrication, evaluation and transportation and storage phases of the PBES. The database, created in Microsoft Excel, can be used as a tool to automate the documentation process needed to ensure quality and durable products. Specific data entries such as camber measurements and crack widths/lengths are included to aid in quality processing of critical data on products, and provide a consistent means for data collection and tracking of SHA projects to help yield high quality PBES products. A link to the user-friendly, interactive database is provided within this report