MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Evaluation of Cost Effectiveness, Performance, and Selection Criteria for Concrete Structures
Authors:	Shiling Pei, Nadim Wehbe, Hongyan Liu, and Jordan Paul
University:	South Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Jun 2020
Report #:	MPC-20-415
Project #:	MPC-351
TRID #:	01746649
Keywords:	alternatives analysis, concrete structures, cost effectiveness, costs, culverts, data collection, highway bridges, precast concrete, recommendations, service life

Abstract

A study was conducted to develop recommendations for short span concrete structure type selection based on analyses of existing structure costs and performance data from South Dakota roadway systems. Through a combination of data sources, including the PONTIS database, local owner and inspector surveys, past project bidding costs, and typical bridge plan estimations, costs of commonly used short span concrete structure type alternatives were compared. The expected service life of these structures was also estimated based on inspection rating data. The data collection effort in this project indicated a lack of cost data in the current bridge and culvert database. With limited cost data, the most commonly adopted structure alternatives for short span concrete structures at different span requirements were compared based on average annual cost, which was obtained based on unit cost distribution and expected service life. Based on the comparison, recommendations were made to conduct selection of short span concrete structures. The current practice in construction, maintenance, and management of short span concrete structures was summarized in this study. Recommendations were also made on improving cost data collection, building performance monitoring, and implementing additional protection measures for precast concrete structures. A four-step procedure to determine short span structure type selection is proposed at the end of the report.

How to Cite

Pei, Shiling, Nadim Wehbe, Hongyan Liu, and Jordan Paul. Evaluation of Cost Effectiveness, Performance, and Selection Criteria for Concrete Structures, MPC-20-415. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2020.