Chicago is the historical birthplace of movable bridges. Earlier than any other city in the world, this Midwestern city started developing... Show moreChicago is the historical birthplace of movable bridges. Earlier than any other city in the world, this Midwestern city started developing solutions to obstacles facing river transportation through innovations in moveable bridge design. With over forty movable bridges built, today, the city faces a major rehabilitation issue with the deterioration of these bridges. The need to assess the condition, and plan for the future sustainability of these bridges, is vital to Chicago’s economy and to the safety of thousands of people who cross the Chicago River every day. As many other cities in the world face problems with their moveable bridges, any plan by pertinent agencies to rehabilitate bridges in Chicago is expected to set standards for the rehabilitation and maintenance of moveable bridges. An overview of guidelines set forth by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and procedures and/or methods adopted by local authorities to inspect, repair and reconstruct moveable bridges in Chicago, are important steps in identifying the underlying issues related to the structural condition and degradation process of the many movable bridges still in operation in Chicago. The objective of this study is to review (1) current practices for movable bridge inspection, repair and rehabilitation; and (2) actual repairs projects, conducted under the authority of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Division of Engineering, to identify and summarize the underlying structural and/or serviceability issues that are inherent to movable bridges in Chicago. Specifically, the study is expected to highlight a number of important issues that stem from age, repeated use and factors that have caused deterioration of Chicago’s movable bridges and the type of repairs that may be needed to guarantee the future safe operation of these bridges. M.S. in Civil Engineering, July 2012 Show less
Query
(-) mods_name_creator_namePart_mt:"Jalabert, Patrick C."
