What is this wrapped around?

[SKJ25POL]

Hi
Anybody by the chance knows what is it around the bridge leg in the picture?
What material is that? What's the purpose?

Thank you
Skj

 

[BridgeSmith]

Given that it's on the two end columns and seeing how close the concrete barrier is, I would surmise it's something for impact absorption. If so, it could be for protection of vehicle occupants, the columns, or both.

 

[oldestguy]

Seeing the paint missing on the beam it may be is to protect the column from damage. Apparently there have been accidents there damaging things.

 

[PEinc]

Maybe a circular form for pouring concrete around a damaged column?

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[gtaw]

Seismic reinforcing for bridge abutments that were built before the Northridge earthquake possibly. I suspect the overpass is located on the West Coast.

Best regards - Al

 

[BridgeSmith]

gtaw, a seismic retrofitting jacket would need to go to the top of the column to be effective at all, and would likely need to be anchored into the cap to be fully effective.

Still looks like an impact absorption cushion to me, used in order to meet the vehicle occupant safety requirements. A barrier that low is supposed to be 10ft in front of the columns in order to not be an unacceptable hazard to the occupants of vehicles, specifically trucks.

It may also serve to protect the columns from failing under impact, although I doubt that would be necessary given the redundancy present with 5 columns supporting the cap.