1. INVESTIGATION OF PINE ROAD BRIDGE
OVER PENNYPACK CREEK
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ivan Bartoli
Technical Advisors: Dr. Emin Aktan and Ben Cohen
SENIOR DESIGN TEAM: 26
TEAM MEMBERS: MATAN ALEXANDER, CASSANDRA PRUEFER, DEREK ZACCHEO, GARY
REIFF, AND STEVEN KREELEY

2. OUTLINE
2
• Problem Statement
• Background
• Tasks Performed to Date
• Inspections
• Approaches
• Summary and Conclusions

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT
3
• Load Reduction caused by
Deterioration
• Emergency Retrofit After
Latest Inspection
• Need for Long-Term Solution
• Consideration of Different
Alternatives
• Recommend Efficient Long
Term Solution

4. BACKGROUND
Drexel University
Bridge #205
4
•Located in
Pennypack Park
•In Bustleton and
Fox Chase
Neighborhoods
•Built in 1977 to
replace one from
1900
•Last Inspected
6/18/14

5. • Two Sidewalks
• 44 foot Roadway
Curb to Curb
• 82° skew angle
• Oriented East-West
• Reinforced Concrete
Deck
• 8 Weathering Steel
Girders
5
STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTION
•Single-Span of 80 Feet
between Abutments
•Two Lanes of Traffic

6. HIGH STRENGTH, LOW ALLOY STEEL
6
Wong, c. (2009) Fact or Fiction-weathering steel can provide effective
corrosion protection to steel structures. electrical substation structures
2009: pp1-8.
•Weathering Structural Steel
•Forms a Patina of Rust to Seal the Surface
•Poor Performance under Wet Conditions
•May Require Additional Maintenance

7. COMMUNITY IMPACT
7
•Evaluated over 5 Mile
Radius
•Connection of
Bustleton and Fox
Chase/Burholme
•Resident, Commerce,
and Emergency Routes
Examined

8. COMMUNITY IMPACT
8
Bridge #205
Engine 62
Engine 58
Police 7th District
•Schools (Blue)
Prevalent in
Bustleton
•Fire and Police
Stations along
Bustleton Avenue

9. COMMUNITY IMPACT
9
Bridge #205
•Hospitals, Retail,
and High School in
Fox Chase/
Burholme
•High Density of
Residences

10. COMMUNITY IMPACT
10

11. COMMUNITY IMPACT
11
Bridge #205
•SEPTA Routes
could change
from Population
Growth
•Pine Road
could be
Utilized in the
Future

12. TASKS PERFORMED TO DATE
12
•Panel Meeting with City
•Submission of Preliminary Statement of Interest
•Obtained Most Recent Inspection Reports
•Conducted Bridge Inspection
•Submission of Proposal

13. DECK INSPECTION
13
•Generally Good
Condition
•Unknown Joint
at East End
•Expansion
Joint in Poor
Condition
•Approach Slab
Shift
•Settlement

14. SUPERSTRUCTURE INSPECTION
14
•Girders and Cross-braces with
Rusting and Section Loss

15. EAST SUBSTRUCTURE INSPECTION
15
•Cracking of
Abutment Pedestals
•Emergency Repairs
to East Abutment
•Cracks in Face of
Abutment

16. WEST SUBSTRUCTURE INSPECTION
16
•Generally Good
Condition
•Cracking in
Abutment Face
•Minimal Water
Damage
Through Joint

17. GENERAL APPROACH
17
•Decision Matrix
•Geometric and 3-D
Modeling
•Cost Estimates
•Life Cycle Assessment
•Hydraulics and
Hydrology
•Utility Management
•Structural Design

18. 18

19. 19

20. APPROACH (Modeling)
20
•Google SketchUp
Architectural Model
•3-D Geometric
Model in AutoCAD
•3-D Finite Element
Analysis in SAP
2000
•Determine Worst
Case Scenario

21. APPROACH (Construction Costs)
21
•Based on PennDOT Unit
Prices
•Determined through
Quantity Calculations
•Factors in Hours Worked
and Maintenance Needs

22. DESIGN BUDGET
22

23. APPROACH (Life Cycle Assessment)
23
•2 Similar Bridges
•Performed on all Four Alternatives
•Modeled with SimaPro
•Based on Cost and Quantity of Materials
•Factors in Environmental Impacts
•Considers Possible Population Growth

24. APPROACH (H & H ANALYSIS)
24
•FEMA Zone AE,
Approximate Analysis
•Determine Peak Flow
Rates Using Existing
Hydrology
•Perform Hydraulic
Analysis on Existing
Conditions
•Compare Changes

25. APPROACH (STRUCTURAL DESIGN)
25
•Examine Multiple Alternatives
•Rehabilitate Abutments, Beam
End, and End of Deck
•Retrofit with Additional
Drainage
•Replace with Steel or
Prestressed Concrete Girders
•Perform all Relevant Structural
Calculations

26. APPROACH (UTILITY MANAGEMENT)
26
•8 inch Gas Main
•20 inch Water Main
•Existing Electrical Utilities along
Abutments

27. PROJECT SCHEDULE (FALL)
27

28. PROJECT SCHEDULE (WINTER)
28

29. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
29
•Inspect the Structure to Determine Defects
•Attempt to Ascertain causes of Deterioration
•Examine Multiple Alternatives
•Recommend Most Efficient Solution

30. QUESTIONS?
30