ConnDOT: Superload, Route 9, Cromwell, Connecticut on July 23, 2002

supperload2002

Superload, Route 9, Cromwell, Connecticut on July 23, 2002

Super Load on Route 372

Cromwell, CT

July 23, 2002

{bridge number 03522, Route 372 over Route 9, Cromwell, CT}

Strain Data below.

{Superload}

Researchers at the Department and University of Connecticut have developed an expertise in the area of short-term monitoring of bridges using portable equipment. Monitoring is now possible with little notice.

The Division of Research was recently asked by Bridge Safety to conduct Strain Monitoring on Bridge # 03522 for a permit load in excess of 1 Million pounds, i.e., a super load.

Bridge # 03522 is in Cromwell, Connecticut, and carries route 372 over route 9.

The Department approved a permit for moving several large loads from a location in Cromwell along the Connecticut River to a location in Meriden. To ensure that the stress levels were within an acceptable range they decided that measuring strain levels on several areas of the bridge was warranted. This would provide assurance that no damage occurred to critical structural elements of the bridge .

The results of this testing can be seen by clicking on the links listed below.

{Connecticut Imact Attenuation System or CIAS as seen from above}

At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning July 23, 2002 the 1,000,019 pound super load began crossing the bridge. The crossing took about 16 minutes. Data was successfully collected from all of the gages installed on the structure. Preliminary results of the actual stresses induced in the bridge that night were provided on-site in real time to the Engineering firm hired by the Department to evaluate the load.

Strain Data

Select to view enlargement	Select to view enlargement
{bridge diagram with gage locations on girders} diagram with gage locations on girders	{Summary of Strain Measurements} summary of strain measurements
{girder 3} girder 3	{girder 4} girder 4
{diaphram-4-center} diaphram-4-center	{diaphram-4-next-to-girder-4} diaphram-4-next-to-girder-4
{girder-4-stiffener-horizontal} girder-4-stiffener-horizontal	{girder-4-stiffener-vertical} girder-4-stiffener-vertical
{girder 5} girder 5	{girder 6} girder 6
{girder 7} girder 7	{Summary and first 10 seconds of data} Summary & first 10 seconds of data {Entire 5MB data set (966 seconds of data)} Entire 5MB Data Set (966 seconds of data)

HISTORICAL NOTE: The Connecticut Department of Transportation's Division of Research and the University of Connecticut began using portable strain monitoring equipment since the late 1980's under the Connecticut Cooperative Highway Research Program, administered by the Joint Highway Research Advisory Council. Many of the structures monitored earlier where done to verify or disprove the need for costly repairs. As a result of these monitoring efforts, many of the planned repairs were either not necessary or greatly reduced in scope. Subsequently, the costs for these repairs where significantly reduced so that over time the Department saved millions of dollars from this research. A short article explaining these efforts is posted on an AASHTO Web site for high value research results. CONTACTS: The Department contacts for current research in bridge monitoring are Paul D'Attilio [paul.dattilio@po.state.ct.us, Telephone: (860) 258-0305; Facsimile: (860) 258-0399] or Eric Feldblum [eric.feldblum@po.state.ct.us, Telephone: (860) 258-0392; Facsimile: (860) 258-0399]. The research described here was conducted in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

Content Last Modified on 9/16/2003 10:34:09 AM