Appendix C: Amplifying Questions

The following questions apply to prefabricated bridge systems that incorporate traditional materials such as steel and concrete or innovative materials such as fiber-reinforced polymers. The bridge systems are composed of multiple elements that are fabricated and assembled offsite. The elements are foundations, piers or columns, abutments, pier caps, beams or girders, and decks. Bridges with spans in the range of 6 to 40m (20 to 140 ft) are the major focus of the panel, although longer spans are of interest if a large amount of innovative prefabrication is used. The panel is interested in all aspects of design, construction, and maintenance.

If possible, the panel would like to spend about 25 percent of its time visiting bridges that have used prefabricated systems. If project reports or other documents are available, the panel would like to obtain copies.

1. INTRODUCTORY TOPICS

1.1 How prevalent is the use of prefabricated systems in your country and how has the technology been implemented?

1.2 What types of prefabricated systems, materials, and equipment are used by your agency or country for bridge foundations, substructures, and superstructures for routine or special bridges?

1.3 What materials are used in prefabrication to enhance durability, reduce weight, increase speed of construction, minimize environmental impact, and improve constructibility ?

1.4 What are the reasons and criteria for selecting the systems and what are the benefits, costs, and results?

1.5 What lessons about design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of prefabricated systems have you learned? Please comment on the positive and negative aspects of short-term and long-term performance.

1.6 How do you factor initial costs, life-cycle costs, user costs, incentives, and penalties into your system selection and bidding process?

1.7 What special standards or specifications do you have for prefabricated systems?

1.8 If applicable, what systems have you developed for seismic regions? Please comment on the positive and negative aspects of short-term and long-term performance.

1.9 What contract provisions allow the contractor to use prefabricated systems as an alternative to conventional construction?

1.10 What is the public involvement in selecting prefabricated systems?

2. PREFABRICATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS THAT MINIMIZE TRAFFIC DISRUPTION

2.1 How is traffic disruption considered in your planning, design, and bidding processes?

2.2 What methods are used to minimize traffic disruption during construction of new bridges or replacement and maintenance of existing bridges?

2.3 What methods have proved effective and ineffective in minimizing traffic disruption?

2.4 How has prefabrication affected construction methods, construction time, initial and user costs, and public perception? How has it benefited owners?

3. PREFABRICATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS THAT IMPROVE WORK ZONE SAFETY

3.1 What safety problems do you have in construction work zones and how are they addressed?

3.2 What project planning processes and construction methods are used to improve work zone safety and have they been successful?

3.3 What prefabricated systems have you used to improve work zone safety and what was the impact on costs and safety?

3.4 For those prefabricated systems that were most successful, how have they impacted work zone safety?

4. PREFABRICATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS THAT MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

4.1 What are the environmental constraints in your country?

4.2 What systems are used to minimize environmental impact?

4.3 What have been the beneficial and detrimental effects on the environment of using prefabricated systems?

5. PREFABRICATED SYSTEMS THAT IMPROVE CONSTRUCTIBILITY

5.1 What issues do you have related to constructibility?

5.2 What improvements in constructibility have been achieved through the use of prefabricated systems? What methods have not worked?

5.3 What are the design and construction challenges with using prefabricated systems?

5.4 What procedures or techniques are used to seal joints, standardize details, join prefabricated elements, reduce weight, control tolerances, and ensure structurally sound innovative solutions?

5.5 What special techniques and equipment are used for lifting, transporting, and erecting prefabricated systems? What are the restrictions in transporting prefabricated systems?

5.6 If applicable, what connections and other details have you used in prefabricated bridges in seismic regions? Please identify those that worked and those that did not work.

6. PREFABRICATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS THAT INCREASE QUALITY AND LOWER LIFE -CYCLE COSTS

6.1 What improvements in quality and life-cycle costs have been achieved through the use of prefabricated systems?

6.2 What strategies or innovative materials are used to improve quality, improve long-term durability, and minimize maintenance? What strategies or materials did not work well?

6.3 What methods are used to ensure a smooth ride on the completed bridge?

6.4 How are service life and life-cycle costs determined for different systems?

6.5 To what extent are performance specifications and warranties used?