Corrosion at steel beam ends is one of the most pressing challenges in the maintenance of aging bridges. To tackle this challenge, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) has partnered with the University of Connecticut to develop a repair method that benefits from the superior mechanical and durability characteristics of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) material. The repair involves welding shear studs to the intact portions of the web and encasing the beam end with UHPC. This provides an alternate load path for bearing forces that bypasses the corroded regions of the beam. The structural viability of the repair has been extensively proven through small- and full-scale experiments and comprehensive finite element simulations. Connecticut DOT implemented the repair for the first time in the field on a heavily trafficked four-span bridge in 2019. The UHPC beam end repair was chosen because of the access constraints and geometric complexities of the bridge that limited the viable repair options. Four of the repaired beam ends were fully instrumented to collect data on the performance of the repaired locations before casting, during curing, and for approximately 6 months following the application of the repair. This paper provides an overview of the successful repair implementation and presents the lessons learned during construction. Select data from the monitored beam ends are presented. It is expected that this information will provide engineers with a better understanding of the repair implementation process, and thus provide an additional repair option for states to enhance the safety of aging steel bridges.
Corrosion at beam ends is one of the most widespread causes of damage in steel bridges. Accurate determination of the level of section loss caused by corrosion damage is critical for estimating the bearing capacity and load rating of a bridge. Current evaluation methods are labor intensive and dependent on subjective assessments by inspectors. Unique features of structured-light 3-D scanning technology offer significant potential for application in bridge inspections and corrosion damage assessment. 3-D scanners are able to provide accurate information on the pattern and amount of section loss at beam ends. However, the promise and applicability of this technology has not been investigated. In this study, a structured-light scanner was used in a trial application to evaluate its ability to create accurate, high-resolution 3-D representations of locally corroded steel beams. Scanning was performed in both a laboratory setting and on two bridges in Connecticut. The 3-D models were used to extract information such as the maximum reduction in thickness and the pattern of corrosion. This paper discusses results, observations, and recommendations for the adoption of structured-light scanning for corrosion damage assessment in bridges. The scanning data provides an enhanced form of inspection documentation including accurate representations of spatial details and colors. It is expected that the material presented in this paper facilitates the adoption of this promising technology for bridge inspection.
as a part of the NSF Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (NSF-RED) project, "Beyond Accommodation: Leveraging Neurodiversity for Engineering Innovation". In her time at the University of Connecticut she has also worked as a Research Assistant for NSF CAREER project "Promoting Engineering Innovation Through Increased Neurodiversity by Encouraging the Participation of Students with ADHD" and has served as Program Assistant for the related summer program for middle school students with ADHD. Prior to joining the University of Connecticut, she spent eight years as a public school teacher in Connecticut, where she maintained a focus on providing a varied learning environment and differentiated instruction for all types of learners. She received her Master's Degree in Modern Languages from Central Connecticut State University in 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and her teaching certificate from Connecticut College in 2001.
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