United States Department of Transportation
i
Manual on Use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters to Move Bridges
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2007-06-01
[PDF-163.21 MB]
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Abstract:Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) are computer-controlled platform vehicles that can move bridge systems weighing up to several thousand tons with precision to within a fraction of an inch. The prefabrication of bridges offsite under controlled conditions followed by rapid installation onsite can achieve quality installations with traffic impacts of minutes to a few hours compared to the months typically required for conventional onsite bridge construction. The significantly reduced onsite construction time when using SPMTs to move prefabricated bridge superstructures, for example, is due to the collapse of the sequential processes of conventional onsite bridge construction to just one step: moving the prefabricated superstructure from the staging area to its final position. This technology should be considered for all bridge replacement projects where reduced onsite construction time is a priority. The manual provides details from project conception to completion for using SPMTs to remove or install a bridge. It describes equipment, lists benefits and costs, and identifies criteria to determine when this technology is appropriate. It also addresses planning-related issues such as traffic considerations and site requirements. Design issues discussed include temporary shoring and prefabrication requirements, allowable temporary stresses and deflections during the move, and possible design efficiencies because of offsite prefabrication. Contracting issues covered include staging area requirements and contracting strategies for reduced onsite construction time. Also included are various example calculations, diagrams, plan sheets, and specifications for use as a starting point for upcoming projects using SPMTs to remove or install bridges. Case studies of bridges moved with SPMTs are also included; the 2006 Florida Department of Transportation I-4/Graves Avenue bridge replacement project is covered in detail, and several other projects are summarized. Using this manual in combination with the FHWA decisionmaking framework and analysis of delay-related user costs should provide the guidance that bridge owners and other bridge professionals need to understand the technology, determine whether using SPMTs will benefit a specific bridge project, and develop contract documents that incorporate the technology.
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