STEEL BRIDGE ERECTION PRACTICES ERECTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

There are many varied steel bridge erection practices, used on increasingly complex structural systems, which have a signifi- cant effect on the final profile, location, and position of the erected members. The primary concerns are how do these differ- ent erection practices, as prescribed by owners and/or developed and implemented by erectors, affect the final position and function of the erected members. This questionnaire is only for steel I-girder and box-girder bridges, with particular emphasis on curved, skewed, and staged or widened structures.

Your help in developing a synthesis report of the issues, problems, and results of these erection practices is requested through the completion of this questionnaire. The information you provide will be used to develop a report that will provide an up-to- date compilation of current issues, problems, and practices. If you prefer an electronic version that can be completed using MS Word, send an e-mail to [email protected] requesting the “Erector Questionnaire Electronic Version.”

Please return your completed questionnaire via e-mail, before August 9, 2002, to [email protected]. Please send any additional documentation or materials before August 9, 2002, to:

Fred Beckmann Consultant

167 Hawthorne Lane Chicago Heights, IL 60411

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Beckmann by telephone at (708) 754-1677 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Note: 1. The gray square boxes may be checked using the space bar on the keyboard or with a left mouse click. 2. The gray rectangular areas query a written entry that will allow multiple lines of text.

3. Save responses before closing a partially completed document and retrieve them when reopening the file.

Please provide the name of the person completing this questionnaire or someone who may be contacted to obtain any needed follow-up information: Name: ____________________________ Title: ____________________________ Company: ____________________________ Address: ____________________________ Town/State/Zip: ____________________________ Telephone: ____________________________ Fax: ____________________________ E-mail Address: ____________________________

This questionnaire has been developed as part of an NCHRP Synthesis Report addressing erection practices for steel I-girder and box-girder bridges with particular emphasis on skewed, curved, and staged or widened structures.Please answer the questions from that perspective.

The primary focus of the synthesis report is based on a rather extensive set of questions that has been sent to the state bridge engineers; however, several of the issues require fabricator and erector input.

1. Have you erected any I-girder or box-girder bridges where the owner provided an erection procedure?

Yes No

If Yes, describe the bridge types and frequency.

2. If the answer to Question 1 was Yes, what impact did these owners’ erection procedures have on the quality of the erected structure?

3. What approach or concept do you use to locate falsework and sequence erection to ensure proper fit-up, geometry, and girder profile?

4. Have you experienced any problems in the alignment, deflection, or final position (girder elevation and web verticality) of steel members after erection and/or deck pour that may be attributable to construction specification issues, design prac- tices, or fabrication and erection practices?

Yes No

If Yes, please supply any information about the severity and frequency of the problems, their causes, appropriate fixes, and any recommendations that would prevent the problems on future work. Please furnish a contact name and phone num- ber so that we may discuss the issues in more detail.

5. Do you have recommendations for flange-width-to-thickness ratios or flange-width-to-web-depth ratios that are different from those in AASHTO?

Yes No

If Yes, please furnish a copy of these requirements.

6. Do you have recommendations for flange-width-to-member-length ratios as they relate to handling and erection concerns?

Yes No

If Yes, please furnish a copy of these requirements.

7. Have you experienced any stability issues as a result of wind loads, deck overhang, concrete placement, lifting and han- dling, and temporary and/or permanent bracing or supports?

Yes No

If Yes, please supply any information about the severity and frequency of the problems, their causes, appropriate fixes, and any recommendations that would prevent the problems on future work. Please furnish a contact name and phone num- ber so that we may discuss the issues in more detail.

8. Have you experienced any problems with staged construction that may be attributable to erection requirements or practices?

Yes No

If Yes, please supply any information about the severity and frequency of the problems, their causes, appropriate fixes, and any recommendations that would prevent the problems on future work. Please furnish a contact name and phone num- ber so to that we may discuss the issues in more detail.

9. How do you calculate or address stability issues when lifting individual curved members?

10. What impact do field connection practices have on final bridge geometry?

11. Are you aware of any current research on these issues?

12. Any new research recommendations?

13. From an erector’s perspective, what are the key important issues associated with achieving a properly erected structure?