2021 Fall Lecture Series
Rehabilitation and Repair of Structures
Session 2
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
11:30 AM-1:30 PM
The ASCE Structural Engineering Institute Boston Chapter is pleased to present the 25th Fall Lecture Series entitled Rehabilitation and Repair of Structures. This session includes the following lectures:
Lecture 1 – Non-Destructive Testing: Understanding Benefits and Limitations
Matthew Sherman, PE, Senior Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is an essential tool used by civil engineers to quickly evaluate existing conditions and investigate potential failures without causing damage to a structure. Ranging from simple hammer-sounding to highly complex stress wave analysis, these techniques help civil engineers focus their efforts and save project time by determining the areas of most need. Rapid improvements in technology have made NDT techniques more accessible for practitioners, increasing their availability and reliability, but it is important to know the limitations of each test and understand how to interpret the results. In this session, we will explore the types of available NDT techniques and discuss how to correctly implement and interpret the most common techniques.
By participating in this session you will learn:
- The types of NDT available and the basic physics behind them.
- The benefits and limitations of the most commonly used techniques and how to properly implement them.
- How to interpret and present results from the most commonly used techniques.
- How using multiple NDT techniques can provide a layered approach to balance time, cost, and usefulness.
Lecture 2 – Emergency Response and Repair to Bridges Following Vehicle Impact
Frank A. Artmont, PE, PhD, Structural Engineer, Modjeski and Masters, Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of the design stage work associated with steel bridges which have been subjected to high-speed vehicle impacts. Typically, these stages include the initial response to the accident, analysis of the structure in the damaged state, and development of an action plan for returning the structure to a serviceable condition. These stages will be described in a practical way using a case study.
The case study involved an over-height vehicle which struck and damaged a portion of a through-truss bridge carrying State Route 6 over French Creek in northwestern Pennsylvania in January 2019. The vehicle impacted and severed the bottom chord of the end portal frame and damaged the bottom chords of the next two interior sway frames of the seven panel Pratt truss span. The main truss verticals were dragged inwards and along the direction of motion as a result of their connections with the interior sway frames, severely damaging these critical members and jeopardizing the ability of the structure to carry loads. The structure was immediately closed to all traffic. The project ultimately required an assessment of the capacity of the structure in its damaged state, a determination of whether the bridge could be reopened at a reduced posting, and the development of repair plans for the structure.
Learning Objectives:
- How to evaluate damage after a truck impacting a bridge.
- How to analyze damaged members and determine their capacity.
- How structures redistribute loading after being damaged.
- How damaged structures can be successfully repaired.
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 8, 2021
Registration fees for individual sessions: $50 BSCES Members, $40 Public Sector Members, $20 Student & Senior (65+) Members, $60 Non-Members, $50 Public Sector Non-Members
Information/Registration:
Register to attend this session and pay by credit card by clicking Registration above. Register for more than one session by downloading the registration form and following the submission instructions. To register online for an event at the BSCES member rate you must login using your BSCES assigned username and password. If you do not know your BSCES member login information call 617/227-5551 or email bsces@engineers.org. You can also register for this event by fax, mail, or email. To do so, download and complete a BSCES Event Registration Form and follow the submission instructions. Cancellations received after Friday, October 8, 2021 and no-shows will be billed.