There are differences between building a new bridge and widening or replacing an existing bridge. When you build a new bridge, there are more alternative options and fewest constraints. When you widen the bridge, the widen structure needs to meet current design standards and match the existing bridge's behavior. You also need to be aware of the existing structure analysis and the potential retrofit necessity. When you replace a bridge, you need to pay attention to construction staging, existing structure stability, potential overbuild, and temporary existing utility realignments.

Kyle Turner will explain the challenges of bridge projects which engineers may face based on different conditions. Then he will present the I-10 Design/Build Corridor Express Lanes Project, which involves a precast and prestressed bridge with a unique integral seismic bent connection. The project will lead to the objectives of seismic analyses, response spectrum analysis for determining longitudinal & transverse displacement demand, and pushover analysis for determining longitudinal & transverse displacement & ductility capacity.