Description of the Project:
The project was the coastal track that connected two regions, in the north west of Syria. ICEO held the position to inspect, evaluate and provide solutions for the deteriorated structures that belong to this track. It encompassed 104 culverts and 39 railway bridges in 6 different configurations (concrete solid slabs, concrete T sections, and steel plate girders). See Appendix for further photos.
My Role in the Project (in Detail):
The project was the coastal track that connected two regions, in the north west of Syria. ICEO held the position to inspect, evaluate and provide solutions for the deteriorated structures that belong to this track. It encompassed 104 culverts and 39 railway bridges in 6 different configurations (concrete solid slabs, concrete T sections, and steel plate girders). See Appendix for further photos.
My Role in the Project (in Detail):
1) I filled the position as an inspection team leader who coordinated on-site activities, and communicated with the client representatives. I was trainer for 4 junior bridge inspectors to perform the inspection of the rest of the bridges, fig (87). I organized a coordinating plan and systematic schedules between 2 teams of engineers; who were working in the office, with those in field to transfer the data regularly, and perform the work on time. For the inspection procedure:
· I studied the as-built drawings of the project, reviewed the previous inspection reports to establish relevant information about the structures prior the visual inspection and field activities. As well as to prepare the sound inventory and inspection forms.
· I prepared the right necessary tools, equipment, formal approvals and sketches.
· I identified and ranked the deficiencies in terms of their quantities, location, effects on the integrity of the structures and on the safety of the users. The grades and inspection forms were according to FHWA Coding Guide. The bridges were ranked between 3 to 7 grades, and lots of these bridges were severely deteriorated from scour, bending and shear cracks, and corrosion of reinforcement (as a result of carbonation and chloride ions from the sea spray).
2) For the superstructure appraisals I performed the structural evaluation utilizing space frame grillage models as the analytical tool. The results were diagrams for internal forces, moments, and reactions. All the deficiencies were taken into account in the evaluation formulas.
3) The substructures for the bridges in this project were different. I classified this large amount of piers and abutments into groups according to some characteristics. Only a few of these substructures were handled by hand analysis and calculations, while the rest of them (that had more deteriorations, skew or complex massive concrete types) were analyzed by material nonlinear analysis using ANSYS, figures (88 and 89). Concrete solid elements (Solid 65) were used and the existing reinforcement in the substructures was smeared throughout the concrete elements. I obtained the results of these models and they were: volumetric contours and vectors for the stresses; crack patterns and propagations; the load that cause crack initiation and that which cause failure, figures (90 and 91)
4) I collaborated with my colleague to perform the seismic analysis for some brittle substructures.
5) I submitted (with my supervisor) to the client up to 16 repair items depending on the type and degree of deficiencies in each bridge. The technician personnel arranged the structures and the deficiencies into two sets of tables: the first set was for the list of deficiencies on this track and names of the structures (bridges and culverts) that need to be repaired. The next set was list of the structures and the deficiencies in each of them, and I supervised this work.
6) I performed another analysis and calculation to find out the quantities of the fiber reinforced polymers needed for each deteriorated superstructure. Also, to evaluate the seismic efficiency (height, thickness and reinforcement) of the reinforced concrete jackets for some substructures.
7) I supervised the preparation of the drawings and the priority list for the whole structures in the track for the necessary repair work.
8) I participated in preparing the specifications, Time tables for all the construction items in combination with approximate cost estimate tables.
· I studied the as-built drawings of the project, reviewed the previous inspection reports to establish relevant information about the structures prior the visual inspection and field activities. As well as to prepare the sound inventory and inspection forms.
· I prepared the right necessary tools, equipment, formal approvals and sketches.
· I identified and ranked the deficiencies in terms of their quantities, location, effects on the integrity of the structures and on the safety of the users. The grades and inspection forms were according to FHWA Coding Guide. The bridges were ranked between 3 to 7 grades, and lots of these bridges were severely deteriorated from scour, bending and shear cracks, and corrosion of reinforcement (as a result of carbonation and chloride ions from the sea spray).
2) For the superstructure appraisals I performed the structural evaluation utilizing space frame grillage models as the analytical tool. The results were diagrams for internal forces, moments, and reactions. All the deficiencies were taken into account in the evaluation formulas.
3) The substructures for the bridges in this project were different. I classified this large amount of piers and abutments into groups according to some characteristics. Only a few of these substructures were handled by hand analysis and calculations, while the rest of them (that had more deteriorations, skew or complex massive concrete types) were analyzed by material nonlinear analysis using ANSYS, figures (88 and 89). Concrete solid elements (Solid 65) were used and the existing reinforcement in the substructures was smeared throughout the concrete elements. I obtained the results of these models and they were: volumetric contours and vectors for the stresses; crack patterns and propagations; the load that cause crack initiation and that which cause failure, figures (90 and 91)
4) I collaborated with my colleague to perform the seismic analysis for some brittle substructures.
5) I submitted (with my supervisor) to the client up to 16 repair items depending on the type and degree of deficiencies in each bridge. The technician personnel arranged the structures and the deficiencies into two sets of tables: the first set was for the list of deficiencies on this track and names of the structures (bridges and culverts) that need to be repaired. The next set was list of the structures and the deficiencies in each of them, and I supervised this work.
6) I performed another analysis and calculation to find out the quantities of the fiber reinforced polymers needed for each deteriorated superstructure. Also, to evaluate the seismic efficiency (height, thickness and reinforcement) of the reinforced concrete jackets for some substructures.
7) I supervised the preparation of the drawings and the priority list for the whole structures in the track for the necessary repair work.
8) I participated in preparing the specifications, Time tables for all the construction items in combination with approximate cost estimate tables.
