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Can’t stop the traffic!

Go! Magazine posted on April 11, 2017 We’ve all experienced traffic jams and slow downs in road construction zones, and we all hate it. They waste our time, create a bigger carbon footprint, and cause safety concerns both for the workers as well as the drivers. This becomes an even bigger issue if the work…

The ABC advantage: Time, safety, and quality make ABC a bridge construction hero

Go! Magazine posted on October 5, 2016 In our on-going series about accelerated bridge construction (ABC), we have discussed the “how to’s” and the “what if’s,” but what about the advantage? Let’s talk about something that affects nearly all drivers at some point or another: the frustrating, road-rage inducing slow in traffic or, in other…

ABC: Fiber diet for bridges

Go! Magazine posted on July 13, 2016 Many nutritionists tell us that fiber is essential to our health, and that we should take it in various forms every day. But could fiber also keep bridges healthy? The answer is yes. But, as I’m sure you’re wondering, how can fiber help a bridge? It doesn’t have…

The rise of 3D printing in ABC

Go! Magazine posted on April 7, 2016 Prefabricated bridge elements and systems (PBES) are key technologies used in accelerated bridge construction (ABC). These elements are prefabricated—or made beforehand—at what is known as a “fabrication plant.” PBES are then brought to a bridge site for final construction. When the pieces are brought to a site, they…

The importance of ABC today: A commentary

Go! Magazine posted on January 21, 2016 Transportation in the United States is usually by road, air, rail, and waterways (via boats). The vast majority of passenger travel occurs by automobile for shorter distances, and airplane or railroad, for some people, for longer distances. But what about bridges? Did you know that more than 600,000…

ABC: Bridge in a “pocket!”

Go! Magazine posted on October 27, 2015 Yes, it is a pocket! But it’s not exactly the size of your back pocket, it’s actually much bigger. Take a look (see Figure 1)! The photo shows a pocket in a bridge footing. See that square hole in the middle? That’s what we’re going to be talking…

ABC activity: Balsa-wood bridges

Go! Magazine posted on July 1, 2015 When learning about structural engineering, the building of balsa-wood bridges can be a key activity in any engineering class. You can find these scaled bridges made out of balsa wood, lollypop sticks, or even spaghetti (or whatever else is on hand). It is common to use simple weights…

Accelerated bridge construction: Constructability is KEY!

Go! Magazine posted on May 1, 2015 This article is the fourth in a series: The ABCs of putting “drivers first” in bridge projects (ABC=accelerated bridge construction) More than 100 years ago, Ransom Olds and Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing processes when they developed the assembly line for constructing automobiles faster. The concept was straightforward: First,…

Build bridges faster—but can you keep them together?

Go! Magazine posted on January 23, 2015 This article is the third in a series: The ABCs of putting “drivers first” in bridge projects (ABC=accelerated bridge construction) What does a miniature paper house have in common with accelerated bridge construction (ABC)? The need for sturdy connections. On YouTube you can find videos with instructions for…

The many faces of bridge engineering

Go! Magazine posted on October 1, 2014 This article is the second in a series: The ABCs of putting “drivers first” in bridge projects. There are more than 600,000 highway bridges in the United States. Have you ever stopped to think about how much it costs to build just one typical bridge? Even a small…

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