Project Overview
Collins performed the structural analysis of steel bridges on the Minnesota Bridge System statewide.
The overall goal of this project was to utilize refined analysis techniques under the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Load Resistance Factor Design (AASHTO LRFD) Manual, Section 6.6.2, on specific structure types, particularly steel pier caps, to determine structural redundancy.
This refined analysis demonstrated that if a structure has adequate strength and stability sufficient to avoid partial or total collapse, it does not need to be considered fracture critical any longer. Structures of this type included currently designated fracture critical bridges that likely exhibit structural redundancy, such as steel pier caps, steel arches, and/or two-girder steel systems.