RESEARCH NEEDS/ IDEAS FOCUSED on BRIDGES / STRUCTURES
Suggested by the Structures/ Hydraulics/ Geotechnical Technical Advisory Group (TAG); Contact is TAG Leader Tom Domagalski (e-mail Thomas.Domagalski@illinois.gov)
Accelerated Bridge Design and Construction
A quarter of our nation’s 590,000 bridges are currently classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Compounding the problem of an aging bridge infrastructure is the increasing construction activities leading to traffic congestion, delays, and work-zone accidents. Accelerated bridge design and construction research will advance technology by developing improved prefabricated structural systems using enhanced details, materials and foundation systems.
Extended Service Life of Bridges
A significant portion of the nation’s inventory of 590,000 bridges is rapidly approaching the end of its intended design life. In order to reduce the demands on already strained construction and maintenance budgets, the option of preservation must be pursued. Therefore, it is imperative to better understand the processes which reduce service life and employ innovative methods to extend the life of these structures.
New Innovative Materials
To understand the advantages and limitations of traditional, newer and emerging materials in terms of safety, durability and economy; and to develop optimized structural systems (e.g., with optimized materials, details, components, structures and foundations) for bridges and highway structures that efficiently employ existing/ newer/ emerging materials to assure a safe, durable (e.g., minimum 75-year service life) and economic systems (e.g. requiring minimal maintenance).