Researchers to Examine ‘South Split’ Beam
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA major transportation repair effort in Indianapolis will serve as a learning opportunity for engineers, inspectors and students. The Indiana Department of Transportation says a section of a steel girder from a bridge replacement project is being sent to Purdue University's School of Civil Engineering. Officials hope the researchers can come up with ways to improve inspections and bridge reliability. October 14, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Despite some rain, Milestone Contractors has removed and replaced two steel beams—or girders—at the Virginia Avenue bridges over Interstates 65 and 70. The South Split project contractor is now completing installation of the new supports before painting begins this week. To see a time lapse video of the replacement, go to http://youtu.be/x8CkXTwhjAU.
A section of the girder removed from the Virginia Avenue bridge over northbound I-65/70 is being sent to Purdue University’s School of Civil Engineering to improve inspections and bridge reliability. The beam was cracked in two locations after being hit by an oversize load, requiring a weekend-long closure of the interstate for emergency repairs, in February. The girder will be used to help educate engineers, inspectors and students on bridge inspections, impact damage identification and damaged beam repairs.
Through its Joint Transportation Research Program, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and Purdue University are using technology to track the project’s progress and traffic impacts. INDOT and Purdue previously attached a camera and accelerometer to a Virginia Avenue bridge, and the resulting video showed regular collisions from oversized vehicles on I-65/I-70 below.
In 1937, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation that led to the formation of what is now known as the Joint Transportation Research Program to facilitate collaboration between INDOT and Purdue University. Joint research projects help INDOT identify and implement innovation opportunities that solve Indiana’s transportation challenges, and the program has been recognized nationally as a model for interaction between government, academia and industry.
Additional pictures, videos and updates are posted on INDOT’s social media pages for East Central Indiana, which includes Indianapolis.
Project posts are tagged with #SouthSplit on the Indiana Department of Transportation East Central Facebook page and on Twitter @INDOT_ECentral. Motorists, residents and businesses are encouraged to visit www.SouthSplit.in.gov to learn details of the project and to sign up for email updates using the red GovDelivery envelope icon. Source: Indiana Department of Transportation