Date of Award:
5-2014
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Paul J. Barr
Committee
Paul J. Barr
Committee
Marvin W. Halling
Committee
Joseph A. Caliendo
Committee
James A. Bay
Committee
Gilberto E. Urroz
Abstract
The intent of this investigation is to assess the number of bridge collapses in the United States, describe, in a numerical form, negative impacts resulting from collapsed bridges, and, last, analyze conditions of bridges prior to collapse and note similarities. Bridge collapse data is scarcely recorded, as such; an isolated region (New York State) over a period of time (25 years), wherein data has been collected of this nature, was used to determine the number of bridge collapses in the region annually. Probability and statistics were used to estimate the average number of bridge collapses throughout the United States and a value of 128 annually was determined with a range between 87 and 222.
The causes of bridge collapses were numerically determined and associated with adverse effects of loss of life and average amount of traffic per day using the structure. Life loss occurred on about 4% of bridge collapses.
Similarities among collapsed bridges include bridges being classified as structurally deficient, bridges which have had the load carrying capacity lowered below the normal legal limit of vehicles, and bridges which have limited vertical clearance under the structure and a roadway under the structure. Age influences bridge collapses for only specific causes of collapse.
Checksum
5cebb9f5ac5bf2448e86c8d0f84ef35b
Recommended Citation
Cook, Wesley, "Bridge Failure Rates, Consequences, and Predictive Trends" (2014). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 2163.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2163
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