I-95 in Philadelphia suffers major damage.

[step.eng69]

I realize the 20,000 cy was reported in the media and it's not your number, but there's no way that can be accurate. Conservatively the volume is 80' wide by 100' long by 20' high, or about 5900 cy, and conversion from loose to bank fill is minimal. Because the product is so light they can use larger trucks with about 100cy capacity, so you're only looking at about 59 truckloads.

From the supplier's website.

View attachment 353315

Be careful my friend Nitt, we should not leak this information....what's an additional 14,000 cy among friends?


5,900 cy vs 20,000 cy estimated by PennDOT .....you may be stepping on a few toes here. Governor, PennDOT, contractor. That 20,000 cy's is already figured into the projected cost equation, with Josh Shitpiro having a press release that the temp repair will be completed in two weeks.

I have much contempt for Josh since he was hell-bent on further prosecuting our administrators, who committed no crime.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Yes, you are correct Nitt (maybe only 180-200 truck loads) ...maybe they have a special permit for hauling a very large load, i don't believe any bridge capacity could handle a 300% increase in allowable loading, but Keeping the trucks spread by patrol cars, allowing one heavily loaded truck at a time across a bridge/overpass would certainly be O.K.

I thought an article by Penn DOT mentioned the material is about 85% the weight of soil fill, maybe mistaken. Loose soil ~ 100 pcf (2,700 pcy)

Truck capacity is 100 cy.

I believe AASHTO load limits is about 80,000 lbs which includes the tractor & trailer weight.
The maximum legal load is the same for all states at 80 kips, while permit loads vary quite a bit with maximums up to 110 kips.

100 cy capacity x 2,700 pcy x 85% reduction =~ 229,000 lbs

229,000 lbs which doesn't include the tractor-trailer weight, 300% loading is way, way greater than legally allowed loading of 80,000 lbs,,

INTERSTATE BRIDGES DO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT ONE OR TWO OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICALES TIMES OF EMERGENCY, providing they are spaced. I understand the State Police are controlling the transport of material along I-95.




View attachment 353343

The glass aggregate weighs 85% less, so your math is off, you're only reducing the weight by 15% not 85%. Also, 2700 pcy is high and should be in the 2100 pcy range.

100 cy x 2100 pcy x 0.15 = 31,500#

 

[step.eng69]

The glass aggregate weighs 85% less, so your math is off, you're only reducing the weight by 15% not 85%. Also, 2700 pcy is high and should be in the 2100 pcy range.

100 cy x 2100 pcy x 0.15 = 31,500#

Thank you Nitt,
You're saying that the back fill material only weighs 315 lbs /cu yd. that's less than my wife's drapery material weighs per bulk.

See ya all tomorrow on updates to construction....want to watch " Deputy" on Tubie now

 

[Bwifan]

They are making incredible progress on I-95... getting close to having it level with the existing ends of I-95...

 

[Bwifan]

Good article on the AeroAggregate and how it is processed and made....

Link

 

[Tom McAndrew]

the web cam of the work is quite enjoyable. They made amazing progress over the weekend, and appear to be pretty close to having all the AeroAggregate fill in place for the temporary fix of 6 lanes. The two-week timeframe of having the 6 lanes working, which was provided on Friday (6/16) seems viable.

Northeast Philadelphia is still going to be impacted, especially going northbound. The preceding exit to Cottman Ave. is Harbison Ave, and that was already closed due to reconstruction. So I guess the last available exit northbound will be Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Ave, which is exit 26. The aforementioned Harbison Ave./Bridge Street exit (27) is closed and then the Cottman Ave. exit (30) is closed as it's been filled in with the aggregate. Drivers will have to go to the Academy Road (exit 32) to get off, so basically there will be, if my analysis is correct, a 6-mile stretch where you can't get off I-95 when going northbound. For those heading to Bucks County or into NJ, that's not an issue, but for those that live in Northeast Philadelphia it will be a nuisance.

 

[Bwifan]

the web cam of the work is quite enjoyable. They made amazing progress over the weekend, and appear to be pretty close to having all the AeroAggregate fill in place for the temporary fix of 6 lanes. The two-week timeframe of having the 6 lanes working, which was provided on Friday (6/16) seems viable.

Northeast Philadelphia is still going to be impacted, especially going northbound. The preceding exit to Cottman Ave. is Harbison Ave, and that was already closed due to reconstruction. So I guess the last available exit northbound will be Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Ave, which is exit 26. The aforementioned Harbison Ave./Bridge Street exit (27) is closed and then the Cottman Ave. exit (30) is closed as it's been filled in with the aggregate. Drivers will have to go to the Academy Road (exit 32) to get off, so basically there will be, if my analysis is correct, a 6-mile stretch where you can't get off I-95 when going northbound. For those heading to Bucks County or into NJ, that's not an issue, but for those that live in Northeast Philadelphia it will be a nuisance.

The post mortem would be interesting to be in when this is finished. Reviewing what went well and looking for areas of improvement. Many other cities will be watching this closely to do something similar if ever needed in the future. This is pretty amazing how fast they demolished the leftovers and have built a temporary structure to get traffic flowing again while they build the permanent replacement on the sides of the temporary. Some very smart people.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Thank you Nitt,
You're saying that the back fill material only weighs 315 lbs /cu yd. that's less than my wife's drapery material weighs per bulk.

See ya all tomorrow on updates to construction....want to watch " Deputy" on Tubie now

While I was comparing the aeroaggregate fill to fill dirt earlier, I realized that the mfg. of the aero fill says it's 85% lighter than other aggregates (not fill). It doesn't change the numbers much, but 57 stone or crusher run weighs about 2500 lbs per cy. So, maybe a better number for aero fill would be about 375 lbs per cy.

My next question for you is, what will they decide to use as pavement for this phase (concrete or asphalt)? I think they will have to use concrete, even though it will cost them some time for curing. They will have to provide something substantial to anchor precast concrete barriers between lanes and at the overpass. I presume they'll use some high early-strength concrete with accelerator additive, maybe something like a 10,000+ psi concrete mix that might reach 7k psi within 1-3 days. Over the years, I've seen many structural mix designs that have reached design strength in 7 days.

If they had space for shoulders, then maybe they use concrete for the road shoulders and barriers and then asphalt paving in between, but there's no room for shoulders.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Check out the video in this LinkedIn post showing aggregate placing operation at the start.

Patrick Morrison on LinkedIn: #penndot #governorshapiro #thefederalhighwayadminisration…

We at J.M. Pereira & Sons, Inc. and Bucks Concrete Services division are honored to be partnering with Buckley & Co. providing our Telebelts and equipment for…

www.linkedin.com

 

[Bwifan]

They have the large crane in place. Looks like some heavy lifting is scheduled for today.

 

[step.eng69]

While I was comparing the aeroaggregate fill to fill dirt earlier, I realized that the mfg. of the aero fill says it's 85% lighter than other aggregates (not fill). It doesn't change the numbers much, but 57 stone or crusher run weighs about 2500 lbs per cy. So, maybe a better number for aero fill would be about 375 lbs per cy.

My next question for you is, what will they decide to use as pavement for this phase (concrete or asphalt)? I think they will have to use concrete, even though it will cost them some time for curing. They will have to provide something substantial to anchor precast concrete barriers between lanes and at the overpass. I presume they'll use some high early-strength concrete with accelerator additive, maybe something like a 10,000+ psi concrete mix that might reach 7k psi within 1-3 days. Over the years, I've seen many structural mix designs that have reached design strength in 7 days.

If they had space for shoulders, then maybe they use concrete for the road shoulders and barriers and then asphalt paving in between, but there's no room for shoulders.

the first or second day of the incident, I remember reading an article in the PC that the glass fill would be 85% of soils density. That stuck in my mind, thus figuring the glass would be 85% of soils density 100 lbcy. When you mentioned the supplier site I saw that the glass fill was 85% less than say #57 aggregate.

Don't know Nitt, about the barriers. Maybe anchored into a moment slab to resist the impact loads. What's the required resistance, 10 or 20 kips @ 30-40 degree approach to barrier? I'm not sure if moment slabs are effective on high-speed interstates, they are good to go in residential and parking areas.

Maybe 4,000 psi or a little higher strength with an acceptance 7-day strength of 3,600+ psi. as per PennDOT-408.

Nitt, the last "real" bridges I was involved with at Michael Baker, Jr. ended in 1977, since that time managed several river crossings, performed structural consultant designs for Verizon and other carriers from 1995 - 2022. Performed a lot of construction-survey work for Bechtel & Lane Construction. Fell-jumped while construction of a bridge & ramp on the Blue Route in 1990, damaged my neck and back badly, several operations, out of work for 5-yrs.

 

[Bwifan]

the first or second day of the incident, I remember reading an article in the PC that the glass fill would be 85% of soils density. That stuck in my mind, thus figuring the glass would be 85% of soils density 100 lbcy. When you mentioned the supplier site I saw that the glass fill was 85% less than say #57 aggregate.

Don't know Nitt, about the barriers. Maybe anchored into a moment slab to resist the impact loads. What's the required resistance, 10 kips @ 30-40 degree approach to barrier? I'm not sure if moment slabs are effective on high-speed interstates, they are good to go in residential and parking areas.

Maybe 4,000 psi or a little higher strength with an acceptance 7-day strength of 3,600+ psi. as per PennDOT-408.

Nitt, the last "real" bridges I was involved with at Michael Baker, Jr. ended in 1977, since that time managed several river crossings, performed structural consultant designs for Verizon and other carriers from 1995 - 2022. Performed a lot of construction-survey work for Bechtel & Lane Construction. Fell-jumped while construction of a bridge & ramp on the Blue Route in 1990, damaged my neck and back badly, several operations, out of work for 5-yrs.

@step.eng69 your questions about the barriers are being answered right now... crane is lifting the barriers into place

 

[Nittany.Lion]

What would OSHA think about the lack of fall protection for the last week?

 

[step.eng69]

What would OSHA think about the lack of fall protection for the last week?

Thought the same thing Nitt, maybe that's why the video is very blurry safety & construction practices.
Nit, they are setting the barriers now.

 

[StamfordBridgeVikingatLeftOffensiveTackle]

the first or second day of the incident, I remember reading an article in the PC that the glass fill would be 85% of soils density. That stuck in my mind, thus figuring the glass would be 85% of soils density 100 lbcy. When you mentioned the supplier site I saw that the glass fill was 85% less than say #57 aggregate.

Don't know Nitt, about the barriers. Maybe anchored into a moment slab to resist the impact loads. What's the required resistance, 10 or 20 kips @ 30-40 degree approach to barrier? I'm not sure if moment slabs are effective on high-speed interstates, they are good to go in residential and parking areas.

Maybe 4,000 psi or a little higher strength with an acceptance 7-day strength of 3,600+ psi. as per PennDOT-408.

Nitt, the last "real" bridges I was involved with at Michael Baker, Jr. ended in 1977, since that time managed several river crossings, performed structural consultant designs for Verizon and other carriers from 1995 - 2022. Performed a lot of construction-survey work for Bechtel & Lane Construction. Fell-jumped while construction of a bridge & ramp on the Blue Route in 1990, damaged my neck and back badly, several operations, out of work for 5-yrs.

Sir, you are a legend!

 

[BobPSU92]

They have the large crane in place. Looks like some heavy lifting is scheduled for today.

This is what we’re up against.

 

[step.eng69]

They have the large crane in place. Looks like some heavy lifting is scheduled for today.

This is what we’re up against.

Heavy lifting increases sperm count

 

[Bison13]

Heavy lifting increases sperm count

I guess this is why big girls seem to get pregnant easier.

 

[Bwifan]

Governor just said at today's presser that I-95 will reopen this weekend.... Just amazing when you think about it and how quickly teams did all this.

 

[Whart]

Governor just said at today's presser that I-95 will reopen this weekend.... Just amazing when you think about it and how quickly teams did all this.

Was speaking with a buddy involved in a big way with Road Construction in Pa. He said Aero Aggregates located south of the Philly Airport in Eddystone is supplying the recycled foam/ glass beads as a base for the project . He told me their business is literally through the roof as a direct result of the publicity . With interest in their solution gaining nationwide review
etc.

 

[Bwifan]

Was speaking with a buddy involved in a big way with Road Construction in Pa. He said Aero Aggregates located south of the Philly Airport in Eddystone is supplying the recycled foam/ glass beads as a base for the project . He told me their business is literally through the roof as a direct result of the publicity . With interest in their solution gaining nationwide review
etc.

Cool thing is once its taken down in this project the AeroAggregates can be reused in other projects. Really cool product going forward.

 

[LionJim]

Heavy lifting increases sperm count

Can confirm.

 

[TiogaLion]

Cool thing is once its taken down in this project the AeroAggregates can be reused in other projects. Really cool product going forward.

I wonder if this product could be used as filler in concrete instead of stone? @step.eng69 any thoughts on this?

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I wonder if this product could be used as filler in concrete instead of stone? @step.eng69 any thoughts on this?

It's not listed as one of the applications for the product on the company's web site.

All Applications — AeroAggregates

www.aerofga.com

 

[Nittany.Lion]

The camera for the live feed has been moved.

The precast concrete walls and bracing are substantial, seeing that now it seems that asphalt paving might be the direction they're going, no need to wait any time for concrete to cure.

 

[StamfordBridgeVikingatLeftOffensiveTackle]

 

[TiogaLion]

It's not listed as one of the applications for the product on the company's web site.

All Applications — AeroAggregates

www.aerofga.com

I wonder why? It clearly has enough compressive strength. Perhaps it would float in the mix?

 

[Abbottdjr717]

Similar situation happened in Harrisburg roughly 10 years or so ago. They were able to temporarly set uo a two lane pass through to cover until the section was replaced. Hopefully the same kind of deal will be able to be achieved here.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

I wonder why? It clearly has enough compressive strength. Perhaps it would float in the mix?

My swag is that the glass material will not bond and create the chemical reaction with Portland cement in the same way as it does with rock and sand. Also, for a material that is 85% lighter than normal aggregate and full of air, I doubt it has anywhere near the compressive strength of solid rock.

 

[Bwifan]

Leveled up top now .... just a question of asphalt or cement for the final coat

 

[step.eng69]

I wonder if this product could be used as filler in concrete instead of stone? @step.eng69 any thoughts on this?

Probably doesn't have the shear strength of stone aggregates and the elasticity required for structural concrete. The aggregates comprise 70%+ of the volume in a cement-concrete mix.

 

[step.eng69]

The camera for the live feed has been moved.

The precast concrete walls and bracing are substantial, seeing that now it seems that asphalt paving might be the direction they're going, no need to wait any time for concrete to cure.

Hey Nitt,
good morning...those pre-cast walls have the partial resistance moment slab built-in the cast.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Hey Nitt,
good morning...those pre-cast walls have the partial resistance moment slab built-in the cast.

Good morning Step,
It's hard to tell from the video feed if the precast walls have been anchored to each other, and it seems like the moment-resisting slabs need more overburden for them to be effective to withstand the impact of a loaded tractor-trailer (unless they have a reinforced concrete slab to anchor them). It just doesn't seem like they have the luxury of time to pour concrete, but the engineers and contractors working on this project will not doubt have it figured out.

 

[step.eng69]

The camera for the live feed has been moved.

The precast concrete walls and bracing are substantial, seeing that now it seems that asphalt paving might be the direction they're going, no need to wait any time for concrete to cure.

Nice, crisp, short video showing how the wire mats are constructed answering our questions about the retention of the fill.
Also mentioned in the video, the road will be open this weekend, so I would imagine will be the way to complete the traveling lanes, unless some supplier has 200 sy of precast conc paving laying around the warehouse.

 

[step.eng69]

What would OSHA think about the lack of fall protection for the last week?

Nitt, look at the previous video.....@ 21 sec into the video a safety line is present to harness off. Of course, they just get in the way and hinder progress.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Nitt, look at the previous video.....@ 21 sec into the video a safety line is present to harness off. Of course, they just get in the way and hinder progress.

Finally, a decent quality video where we can see some detail. Thx

 

[Nittany.Lion]

The progress continues at a rapid pace. They're paving now, one lift done on one side, starting the other side.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

The progress continues at a rapid pace. They're paving now, one lift done on one side, starting the other side.

agreed. Since I checked this morning, they completed the installation of the outside barriers (I think they weigh @ 1,300 lbs. each), then installed the median barriers, and paved the southbound lanes. Currently, they seem to be rolling the southbound lanes, and starting the laying of the asphalt for the northbound lanes. As they are working 24x7, I can see why they were confident earlier this week in announcing that the 3 lanes each way will be open this weekend.

I'm curious how long the permanent fix will take. I believe a PennDot engineer indicated that the northbound support, which the tanker truck slammed into, will need substantial repairs.

 

[Bwifan]

agreed. Since I checked this morning, they completed the installation of the outside barriers (I think they weigh @ 1,300 lbs. each), then installed the median barriers, and paved the southbound lanes. Currently, they seem to be rolling the southbound lanes, and starting the laying of the asphalt for the northbound lanes. As they are working 24x7, I can see why they were confident earlier this week in announcing that the 3 lanes each way will be open this weekend.

I'm curious how long the permanent fix will take. I believe a PennDot engineer indicated that the northbound support, which the tanker truck slammed into, will need substantial repairs.

At this rate this thing will be open Friday. They now have both lanes paved, north and south bound are just about complete. Pretty impressive stuff by all companies involved. Well done.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Finally found some drone footage, a little dated at this point but it's clear with some close-ups.