Evaluation of Finger Plate and Flat Plate Connection Design

This project investigates the cause(s) of premature deterioration of MoDOT finger plate and flat plate expansion devices under high traffic volumes and then uses that information to design new Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) finger plate and flat plate designs that are intended to last 40 years or more with minimal maintenance. A robust finger plate device was designed to accommodate bridges which require large expansion lengths on high large volume routes.  In addition, suggestions for improvements of the existing finger plate device design were made for use on routes with lower traffic volumes.  Repair and replacement best practices and details were also developed as part of this project.

VIEW REPORT


Report number: cmr16-008
Published: January 2016
Project number: TR201516
Author(s): Dr. Sarah Orton, Dr. Hani Salim, Alaaeldin Elsisi, and Andrew Pelikan (University of Missouri); David Barrett, Cory Imhoff, Gregory Kuntz, and Matthew Wombacher (HDR)
Performing organizations: University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and HDR Engineering

Assessing MoDOT’s Efforts to Provide the Right Transportation Solution

The basic research design for the project was to sample opinions on a variety of projects spread across the state. A small, medium, and large project from each of the seven MoDOT districts was selected by a regional manager for the project for a total of 21 projects. The sample included 600 addresses per project area for a total of 12,600 Missouri addresses being mailed a copy of the survey. Each survey was focused on one of 21 individual projects, which was briefly described on the survey, and the majority of survey questions related to the recently completed project, such as determining if the completion of the project increased safety, convenience, and made it easier to drive.

VIEW REPORT


Report number: cmr16-006
Published: January 2016
Project number: TR201522
Author: Dr. Lance Gentry
Performing organization: Heartland Market Research LLC