Engineering Issue–Can This Work for Roads of the Future?
Obviousity asked:
I have an idea. Instead of building roads that require the ground to be cleared, prepped, leveled, and so forth, we build “bridge roads” that allow water and wildlife to retain their habitats, that don’t get washed out by floods, etc. Basically, it is a bridge over dry lang.
Question: is there an alternative way to support such a bridge rather than pilings? That is, COULD the bridge rest on, say, “blocks” of concrete without the blocks settling or sinking into the ground/mud and messing up the bridge.
Or any other alternative.
If pilings MUST be used, how deep do they typically have to go? Is there an alternative way to network the pilings so that they don’t have to go so deep, say?
This would enable us to open up remote areas to development–without leaving too big of a footprint, etc.
Thank you for your engineering ingenuity!
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Filed Under Engineering |
Tagged With Floods, Habitats, Ingenuity
Comments
6 Responses to “Engineering Issue–Can This Work for Roads of the Future?”
The problem with causeways, which is what this method is called, is that they are far more expensive than laying surface-height highways. Additionally, maintenance becomes a much greater issue on these because failure to maintain a surface road results in bumpiness and the need for detours. Causeways that are poorly maintained tend to collapse.
There are many causeways around New Orleans, however, for all of the reasons that you proposed. A couple did wash out during Hurricane Katrina, but for the most part they stayed up OK. They do have lots of advantages, but unwillingness to pay the bills that are associated with them causes them to not be viable alternatives.
Also, the block thing? That won’t work, because road vibrations will always cause the blocks to move a little bit, compromising integrity. Pilings are better, and usually have to go down several dozen feet.
one of the major problems is the cost implication. Its a nice idea but the extra cost due to extra ground investigation and surveying would be huge.
There is no typical depth of a pile, it depends on how deep down a good strata is to bear load upon. The blocks of concrete are used in temporary works to support cranes, however they would not work over a permanent period because over time because unfortunatley settlement would occur due to the load and time factor, which can be calculated using terzaghies model.
The planning process invloved in a highway is very in depth and takes into account all things that will be affected. Its a try problem I agree, but so far there isnt a good enough alternative
Nothing new under the Sun. Any problem can be solved if you have enough time and money to throw at it.=&page=1%E2%84%91=0
the idea is not bad for starters, but some problems can be predicted.
You would have to clear the area to place the pilings, excavate and then reinforce them with steel. the depth depends on the load solicitations. The pilings would also be prone to be washed by floods.
the road itself would need to be of reinforced materials, like concrete-steel, which increase the prices. Reinforcement for roads of heavy loads would be in a greater demand.
You would have to make exits at periodical distance intervals for access.
Viaducts, as such roads are called, are used all over the place and often do provide wildlife access. They are a lot more expensive than regular roads though.
A viaduct is a possible alternative for an environmentally sensitive area. The depth of the piles is not an issue. However, you need to consider cost. It may be cheaper to provide mitigation. That is not to mention your need to also consider visual impacts. There is no all-in-one solution.