Contracting and Construction of ABC Projects with Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems

2013PDFTech ReportFHWA-HIF-17-020Prefabricated bridgesBridge constructionConstructionAccelerated bridge constructionPrefabricated bridge elementsPrefabricated bridge systemsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationCulmo, Michael P.Sadasivam, SuriGransberg, Douglas D.Boyle, HughDeslis, AmaliaDuguay, WilliamRose, DougMizioch, ChristineMallela, JagannathUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationARA, IncorporatedFederal Highway AdministrationThrough the Every Day Counts (EDC) program, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been taking initiatives to bring Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technologies into the market that can impact the ways highway agencies do business. With ABC technologies, highway agencies can replace bridges faster within a shorter time frame, and thereby significantly reduce adverse work zone impacts to the traveling public. The manual focuses on the construction aspects of ABC using Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES). The purpose of the PBES/ABC construction manual is to provide owners, engineers, and contractors with guidance and tools necessary to implement and manage construction. This manual focuses on the timeframe that begins the completion of design, pre-bid, contract award, on-site construction, and final close-out phases of construction.The manual summarizes various aspects that should be considered during the pre-bid phase of a project relating to constructability reviews, hauling and staging, working with the construction industry at various levels, establishing construction schedule and cost estimates, and various contracting methods and clauses for effective delivery of the project. The manual also discusses the need for a pre-bid meeting for discussing various project-related issues. The manual also addresses the contractor pre-qualification requirements such as project-specific experience, past performance, technical ability, organizational and managerial structure, financial capability and bonding/surety needs. The manual addresses self-performance requirements to be undertaken by the contractor or supplier during pre-fabrication.The manual provides guidance on planning the construction phase to ensure the successful delivery of the project. Staffing needs of the owner agency for oversight and acceptance operations are also discussed. The manual also addresses various aspects relating to the planning of pre-erection, erection, and post-erection activities to be undertaken during construction. A list of contractor submittals, such as assembly plans, logistics, and erection details, is also identified. The manual addresses the quality assurance aspects of a PBES/ABC project relating to prequalified projects, certification of fabrication facilities, individual PBES elements, grouting, erection, and measures for accelerating the materials testing process. The manual also addresses transportation management plan needs, project safety monitoring, crew fatigue management, and coordination with local law enforcement. The manual also discusses various public involvement and outreach activities to ensure public support and reduce problems during construction.84