Evaluation and Strengthening of In-Service Bridges [B8]

Extending the service life of the existing steel bridge inventory is of great importance to owners, engineers, and end users. Quantitative information on the behavior of in-service steel bridges is required to determine the need and type of rehabilitation for aging bridges, gauge the remaining life in existing structures, and asses the performance of new technologies. This session will look at methods for evaluation and strengthening of existing in-service bridges. Included will be an overview of the use of phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) of the orthotropic deck panels of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, application of master curve and fitness-for-service principles for understanding the possibility of brittle fracture in an older bridge and lastly, strengthening of existing bridges with ""post-installed"" shear connectors.

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