Abstract

The destruction of the World Trade Center building in September of 2001 exposed the vulnerability of domestic structures and facilities to terrorist attack. With transportation facilities on the list of potential targets, state DOTs initiated efforts to lessen the probability of an attack and to lessen the impact should such an attack occur. This project initially focused on the nation's bridges and sought to lessen the impact on an attack through rapid recovery operations by advanced planning and preparation, which includes the development of emergency response procedures and identification of rapid bridge replacement and repair techniques and materials. The scope of the project was later expanded to recovery operations following any extreme event; natural, accidental, or terrorist-planned. Chapter 2 identifies and summarizes rapid bridge replacement and repair materials and techniques for bridge superstructures, decks, substructures, and general elements or members as well as floating bridges and contractor and construction techniques and methods. Chapter 3 identifies and summarizes 26 real-world cases of rapid bridge replacements. A summary of lessons learned is also provided. Chapter 4 addresses the effectiveness of incentive clauses in shortening construction schedules. Chapter 5 addresses pre-event preparations and includes the evaluation of critical bridge assets and the development of Emergency Response Plans for those critical assets

Project PI: Ronald Burkett

Project Co-PI: Phillip T. Nash, P.E.

Project Summary Report

Full Research Report