Accelerated Bridge Construction studies

[bridgeengineer2007]

Does anybody know of any studies done or publications that show the cost/benefit of Accelerated Bridge Construction? I'm looking to see the cost of the project vs. the time saved when using this method of construction. I often get questions about how much time is saved vs. how much more will it cost with ABC compared to conventional construction.

 

[LittleInch]

Pretty much no cost benefit if it collapses before it opens....

FIU bridge has put a big downer on that option.

But FIU were supposed leaders in ABC construction so have a look at their output.

https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/research-pr...-towards-accelerated-bridge-construction-abc/

https://www.constructiondive.com/ne...d-change-bridge-construction-projects/567439/

This makes a good point that getting insurance for ABC might turn out to be rather expensive

Each location will be different and the cost impact of disruption to traffic and general disruption to people is very difficult to quantify. That's the real difference as opposed to time on the project itself AFAIK.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[OSUCivlEng]

FIU was a leader in hosting conferences about OTHER people designing and completing ABC projects. Accelerated Bridge Construction was not the cause of the FIU tragedy, a one of a kind, never before constructed post tensioned concrete truss (!) designed by some one who should have known better caused that.

I would suspect that ABC is almost more expensive than traditional construction because the designer is seeking to minimize the time it takes to build the bridge, not the cost. There is also the user cost that can be quantified by the time saved, but the owner and contractor don't usually have to pay those costs, regardless of the method of construction.

 

[bridgebuster]

Google FHWA Every Day Counts and FHWA ABC, you’ll find various manuals and reports.

Two things that add cost to ABC: 1. Some operations are performed continuously during a weekend bridge/road closure. There’s usually a larger work force on site; they’re getting premium pay, night lighting costs, back up equipment on site, it all adds up.

2) ABC projects with weekend/night shutdowns usually come with steep liquidated damages for not opening a road on time. A smart contractor adds in contingency for the LDs.

 

[SWComposites]

Seems like ABC is really to minimize road closure times and not to save costs (might even add costs).

 

[BridgeSmith]

Construction costs are inevitably higher for ABC. It typically reduces traffic control costs, but not nearly enough to offset the construction cost increases. It's done to decrease the interruptions to the flow of traffic, and minimize the impact on motorists.