Carthage Mills' Products Slash Bridge Construction Costs
New 'Accelerated Bridge Construction' Methods Save Up to 60%
CINCINNATI, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Built in weeks instead of months, a bridge constructed using the relatively new Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) method – often called 'Accelerated Bridge Construction' – can reduce the total cost of construction by as much as 60% compared to conventional DOT bridge designs; this according to the nation's oldest geosynthetics company Carthage Mills. The technique features ease of construction, the use of readily available materials and equipment, and employs a flexible design that easily accommodates on-site modifications, and delivers an end-product that has greater long-term durability.
The first ever bridge to employ the GRS-IBS method was built in Defiance county Ohio in 2005, but it wasn't until 2010 before specifying agencies became comfortable with their endorsement. Today that bridge is still in use and they have since constructed 23 more using this method. To date, over 200 bridges in 44 states and Puerto Rico have been selected for construction using GRS-IBS.
The innovative GRS-IBS method was developed by the FHWA as a part of the Bridge of the Future Initiative. The three components used in the system include: a reinforced soil foundation of alternating layers of a geosynthetic and compacted granular fill; the abutment; and an integrated approach. This results in higher capacity bridge loads than would be expected from a conventional design, and produces both a reliable and predictable performance (typical cross-section).
Another benefit of the GRS-IBS method is it incorporates 'continuous pavement' that results in a smooth transition between the bridge and the roadway, thus eliminating the previous issue of the "bump" at the end of the bridge. This not only improves safety for drivers, but also reduces impact loads on the bridge resulting in less maintenance and a longer life-span.
GRS-IBS is typically ideal for small rural areas where the bridge span is 140 feet or less, the abutment heights are 30 feet or less, and it spans over low-velocity waterways. Of the approximately 600,000 bridges in the U.S., 75% meet these requirements and are therefore candidates for this construction method, and 24% of those are in need of immediate replacement. This translates to significant opportunity for growth in the bridge sector of the construction industry.
www.carthagemills.com
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SOURCE Carthage Mills
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