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Interstate 40 - Bridge at Memphis over the Mississippi River closed in May and June

  • 1.  Interstate 40 - Bridge at Memphis over the Mississippi River closed in May and June

    Posted 09-15-2021 07:11 PM
    Has anyone seen some technical information as to what caused this problem? Yes, the tie beam was cracked but what caused this to crack? I haven't been able to find anything as to what caused this failure. I was involved in the design.  We used for design stress about half of the yield stress. Design load was dead load, plus specified live load plus impact and wind . Pictures of the break or crack in the tie beam were weird in that it looked smooth and the location was some distance (several feet) away from the joint . Can anyone add some technical savvy as to what might have caused this?   Thanks!


    Clarence Krebs

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    Clarence Krebs P.E., L.S., F.ASCE
    Self Employed
    Louisville KY
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  • 2.  RE: Interstate 40 - Bridge at Memphis over the Mississippi River closed in May and June

    Posted 10-04-2021 10:01 AM
    Thank you for this, as a student I love to read about this things.

    So, according to article that I have found, some technical are:
    •locations that may need additional repairs
    • the contracted company for bridge repairs - had secured four of the main structural plates, with three loosely positioned with bolts and the final plate being positioned by a crane
    •Repair crews have installed permanent plates
    •Congressman Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, and others have publicly advocated for building another bridge or even two over the Mississippi in the Memphis area.
    •consultants to conduct an in-depth inspection of the bridge that will include ultrasonic testing on all the welds in the main tie girder at similar locations to where the fracture occurred, as well as on key members of the overhead truss.
    •A tentative opening date for the I-40 bridge can be set after the contractor's repairs and bridge inspection results are reviewed.
    •the average daily traffic for the bridge was 35,000 to 45,000 vehicles. Trucks made up 25% to 29% percent of that volume.

    Reference:
    https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2021/06/04/mississippi-river-bridge-memphis-arkansas-reopening-schedule/7542748002/
    https://www.freightwaves.com/news/i-40-bridge-over-mississippi-river-to-remain-closed-indefinitely

    My insight: It's good thing that the bridge are well maintained by its contracting company, that they can look out for this things and save thousand of people. And it's a must be done to all of infrastructure rightfully.

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    Llala Chrishaye Ocampo S.M.ASCE
    Student
    City of General Trias Cavite
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