Håkan Sundquist

Field testing of a long-span arch steel culvert during backfilling and in service

The paper presents the first part of the in-situ measurements and data analyses for the tests conducted during backfilling and during service of a long-span corrugated steel culvert railway bridge over Skivarpsån, Rydsgård, Sweden. Static and dynamic tests were carried out measuring strains and displacements. Temperature readings were taken along with the measurements. Comparisons of moments during compaction showed that there is good agreement between test results and theoretical values. The theoretical calculation of the rise of the crown during compaction and the crown moments due to live load seem to be conservative, while the theoretical axial forces agree reasonably with the measured axial forces.

Design of Soil-Steel Composite Bridges

Abstract The research work presented in this paper deals with what are commonly known as soil-steel flexible culverts. The word culvert is, however, usually associated with small pipes in road embankments. Over the years, the flexible culverts have grown bigger and today they are what one could call bridges; they are not just culverts anymore. A more proper name today would therefore be Soil-Steel Composite Bridges. This explains the title of the paper. The research work has been ongoing for more than 30 years at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Division of Structural Engineering and Bridges, at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Realizing that spans have grown larger and heights of cover smaller, the aim was to develop a design method that could be used in everyday design work. The design method developed, based on theoretical studies as well as several full scale tests, is today a code requirement in Sweden, Finland, and Norway and is also in use in several other countries in Europe. This paper describes the design method itself and the development behind it as well as ongoing research and planned future developments.

Cost-Efficient Procurement of Bridge Infrastructures by Incorporating Life-Cycle Cost Analysis with Bridge Management Systems

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) has recognized potential for rationalizing bridge procurement, but its use in this context is far from systematic. The integration of LCCA findings in decisions is o ...

Development of the Swedish bridge management system by upgrading and expanding the use of LCC

Although many bridge management systems (BMSs) contain some forms of life-cycle costing (LCC), the use of LCC in bridge engineering is limited. Life-cycle costing in many BMSs has mainly been applied within the bridge operation phase to support decisions related to existing bridges. Life-cycle costing has several useful applications within the bridge entire life, from cradle to grave. This article introduces the Swedish Bridge and Tunnel Management System (BaTMan). A comprehensive integrated LCC implementation scheme will be illustrated, taking into account the bridge investment and management process in Sweden. The basic LCC analysis tools as well as other helpful techniques are addressed. A real case study is presented to demonstrate the recent improvement of BaTMan practically in the function of whether to repair or to replace a bridge. Cost records for 2508 bridges are used as input data in the presented case study. Considering the same records, the average real and anticipated initial costs of different bridge types in Sweden will schematically be presented.

The real service life and repair costs for bridge edge beams

Bridges rarely just break down. It is the different structural members of the bridge that slowly degrade the whole structure. One of the most damaged structural members of a bridge is the edge beam ...

Integration of Life-Cycle Cost Analysis with Bridge Management Systems: Case Study of Swedish Bridge and Tunnel Management System

Many countries use bridge management systems (BMSs), and many of these systems involve some form of life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis. Use of LCC analysis in bridge engineering is rare, however; the technique has been applied primarily in the operation phase to support decisions about bridges that already exist. Yet LCC analysis can be applied across the life of a bridge. This paper introduces the Swedish Bridge and Tunnel Management System (BaTMan). A comprehensive, integrated LCC implementation scheme takes into account the bridge investment and management processes in Sweden. The basic economic analytical tools as well as other helpful LCC analysis techniques are described. A case study demonstrates improvements in BaTMan as a factor in the decision whether to repair or to replace a bridge. Cost records for 1,987 bridges were used as input data in the case study. On the basis of the same records, the average real and anticipated initial costs of various bridge types in Sweden are presented schematically.

Life-cycle cost analysis as a tool in the developing process for new bridge edge beam solutions

Abstract Currently in Sweden, the life-cycle measures applied on bridge edge beams may take up to 60% of the total costs incurred along the road bridges’ life span. Moreover, significant disturbances for the road users are caused. Therefore, the Swedish Transport Administration has started a project to develop alternative edge beam design solutions that are better for society in terms of cost. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether these proposals can qualify for more detailed studies through an evaluation and comparison based on a comprehensive life-cycle cost analysis. The alternatives including the standard design are applied to typical Swedish bridges. The impact of the values of the parameters with the largest influence is investigated by sensitivity analyses. Results with different life-cycle strategies are shown. The positive influences in the total life-cycle cost of a stainless steel reinforced solution and of the enhanced construction technique are estimated. The concrete edge beam integrated with the deck seems to be favourable, which is in line with international experience observed. Different designs may be appropriate depending on the bridge case and the life-cycle strategy. The Swedish Transport Administration will carry out a demonstration project in a bridge with one of the proposals.

Life cycle cost considerations in project appraisals of collision-free roads

In the last decade, many single carriageway roads in Sweden have been converted to collision-free roads as a cost-effective alternative to conventional motorways. Investigations have concluded that the road type has been successful in reducing the number of fatal accidents, despite increased operation and maintenance costs. In recent years, the focus has shifted to converting narrower roads which are anticipated to further increase operation and maintenance cost but also complicate traffic management during road works. There are concerns that when life cycle cost is considered in the investment assessment the socioeconomic profitability could be reduced. This article examines this issue by first assessing changes in costs for operation and maintenance using a life cycle cost analysis approach applied on a case study. The results from the analysis were thereafter integrated into a cost–benefit analysis to assess changes in costs in relation to benefits in improved traffic safety and travel time. The analysis indicated profitability even with substantial increase in operation, maintenance and road user work zone costs. Results are discussed from project implementation and road management perspectives.

Incident in the Forsmark 1 nuclear power plant in 2006: analysis of communication issues between the plant and the operating company of the power grid

Previous studies of the Forsmark incident from 25 July 2006 emphasised a need to improve integration and communication between the nuclear plants and the operating company of the power grid. This ...

Bridge demolition and construction rates: inspection data-based indicators

Bridge planning and management require precise and continuous information on how the age and condition of various types of bridges evolve. A main objective for a bridge manager is to keep the bridg ...