NCHRP: Blast-Resistant Highway Bridges: Design and Detailing Guidelines

Associated Researcher:

Eric Williamson

Oguzhan Bayrak

Graduate Student:

Daniel Williams

Sponsor: National Cooperative Highway Research Project

Project Summary

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the need to protect our infrastructure became a national priority. In the past, only select military and federal structures were designed with consideration given to the potential of blast loads. Currently, there is concern that highway bridges and other structures be designed to withstand the effects of blast. The goal of this project is to develop blast-resistant design and detailing guidelines for common bridge piers.