What's happening with T1 Steel? [B8] 2024

In 2021, the FHWA issued a memo regarding the inspection of T1 steel. This session will summarize inspection findings and repairs done and planned in various states. After the T-1 steel lower chord fracture on the I-40 Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis in 2021, bridge owners across the USA we’re tasked with conducting new inspections of all NSTM bridges which we’re build with T-1 steel.  NSTM Bridge built with T-1 steel we’re required to undergo non-destructive testing for all butt welds in members subject to tension loading.  This resulted in 1,000’s of bridge welds being tested with Ultrasonic Testing.  This presentation will discuss some of the challenges of that work and discuss overall results. Following the FHWA mandate to test all CJP weld in T-1 steel tension members owners across the country worked to test, report, and repair bridges with T-1 steel.  The range of bridge and challenges encountered were numerous.  This presentation will provide several case studies of bridges with defects found and the repair and retrofit strategies.  Understanding the messaging and public relations component will also be discussed.

Speaker(s): Todd Niemann, Jason Stith, SE, PE, PhD, James Edmunds, PE