Bridge Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation Against Explosions
Researcher(s)
Principal investigator: Sam Kiger
Project status
In progress
Start date: 03/01/07
End date: 02/28/08
Sponsor(s)/partner(s)
Sponsor(s):California Department of Transportation
Midwest Transportation Consortium
University of Missouri - Columbia
About the research
Research objective: --Develop risk assessment procedures to identify critical bridges in a bridge network
--Develop bridge vulnerability assessment guide
--Develop concepts for mitigation and structural protection of bridges
Abstract
Soon after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) assembled a Blue-Ribbon Panel of experts to develop strategies and provide guidance to improve the safety and security of bridge and tunnel infrastructure. This effort led to recognizing that the threat is real and can be devastating, risk assessment is necessary, and engineering guidance are needed based on research. Building on current and past efforts, the goal of this project is develop procedures to assist professionals and bridge owners identify critical bridges and to develop procedures to assess their vulnerability to explosions (terroristÂ’s bomb attacks).
Potential Benefits of the Project
The procedures and design guides developed in this project will benefit the bridge owners, designers, inspectors, and professionals nationwide.