Prefabricated/Precast Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) for Off-System Bridges - Contract BDK83 977-13 - Final Report

Oct 24, 2026

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The Federal Highway Administration’s “Every Day Counts” initiative targets shorter delivery schedules, improved safety, and environmental protection for construction projects. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) methods reduce on-site time, including Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES), where bridge components are fabricated off site to limit on-site activities. Many state DOTs seek to implement PBES for off-system bridges. This research investigated other states’ standards and evaluated them for potential implementation in Florida, based on an exhaustive literature search.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages97

Reading Time4 h 4 min

AccessFree to download

Technical Report Documentation Page

Abstract

Final Report Prefabricated/Precast Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) for O􀀋-System Bridges Contract Number BDK83 977-13 FSU Project ID: 029858 | Submitted to:
Florida Department of Transportation
Research Center
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450
Dennis M. Golabek, P.E.
Project Manager
FDOT Structures Design O􀀎ce | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Prepared by: | | | | | Michelle Roddenberry, Ph.D., P.E.
Principal Investigator
Joseph Servos, E.I.
Graduate Research Assistant
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Rm. A129
Tallahassee, FL 32310{6046 | | August 2012 DISCLAIMER The opinions, 􀀌ndings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s), who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily re􀀍ect the views or policies of the Florida Department of Transportation or the Research and Special Programs Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, speci-􀀌cation, or regulation. The report is prepared in cooperation with the State of Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Approximate conversion to SI units | Symbol | When you know | Multiply by | To 􀀌nd | Symbol | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Length | | | | | | in. | inches | 25.4 | millimeters | mm | | ft | feet | 0.305 | meters | m | | yd | yards | 0.914 | meters | m | | mi | miles | 1.61 | kilometers | km | | Area | | | | | | in2 | square inches | 645.2 | square millimeters | mm2 | | ft2 | square feet | 0.093 | square meters | m2 | | yd2 | square yard | 0.836 | square meters | m2 | | ac | acres | 0.405 | hectares | ha | | mi2 | square miles | 2.59 | square kilometers | km2 | | Volume | | | | | | 􀀍 oz | 􀀍uid ounces | 29.57 | milliliters | mL | | gal | gallons | 3.785 | liters | L | | ft3 | cubic feet | 0.028 | cubic meters | m3 | | yd3 | cubic yards | 0.765 | cubic meters | m3 | | Mass | | | | | | oz | ounces | 28.35 | grams | g | | lb | pounds | 0.454 | kilograms | kg | | T | short tons (2000 lb) | 0.907 | megagrams | Mg | | Temperature | | | | | | °F | Fahrenheit | ~~5~~9 (F 􀀀 32) | Celsius | 􀀎 C | | Illumination | | | | | | fc | foot-candles | 10.76 | lux | lx | | 􀀍 foot-Lamberts 3.426 ~~ cand~~m~~2ela~~ ~~ c~~m~~d2~~ | | | | | | Stress/Pressure | | | | | | lbf | poundforce | 4.45 | newtons | N | | ~~l~~i~~bf~~n~~2~~ (or psi) | poundforce
square inch | 6.89 | kilopascals | kPa | Approximate conversion to imperial units | Symbol | When you know | Multiply by | To 􀀌nd | Symbol | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Length | | | | | | mm | millimeters | 0.039 | inches | in. | | m | meters | 3.28 | feet | ft | | m | meters | 1.09 | yards | yd | | km | kilometers | 0.621 | miles | mi | | Area | | | | | | mm2 | square millimeters | 0.0016 | square inches | in2 | | m2 | square meters | 10.764 | square feet | ft2 | | m2 | square meters | 1.195 | square yards | yd2 | | ha | hectares | 2.47 | acres | ac | | km2 | square kilometers | 0.386 | square miles | mi2 | | Volume | | | | | | mL | milliliters | 0.034 | 􀀍uid ounces | 􀀍 oz | | L | liters | 0.264 | gallons | gal | | m3 | cubic meters | 35.314 | cubic feet | ft3 | | m3 | cubic meters | 1.307 | cubic yards | yd3 | | Mass | | | | | | g | grams | 0.035 | ounces | oz | | kg | kilograms | 2.202 | pounds | lb | | Mg | megagrams | 1.103 | short tons (2000 lb) | T | | Temperature | | | | | | 􀀎 C | Celsius | ~~9~~5C + 32 | Fahrenheit | °F | | Illumination | | | | | | lx | lux | 0.0929 | foot-candles | fc | | cd
m 2 | candela
m2 | 0.2919 | foot-Lamberts | 􀀍 | | Stress/Pressure | | | | | | N | newtons | 0.225 | poundforce | lbf | | kPa | kilopascals | 0.145 | poundforce
square inch | ~~l~~i~~bf~~n~~2~~ (or psi) | Technical Report Documentation Page | 1. Report No. | 2. Government Accessi

FAQs

What is the purpose of the research project described in the report?

To investigate other states’ standards related to PBES and evaluate them for possible implementation in Florida for off-system bridges.

How do PBES and ABC relate to reducing construction time?

ABC uses innovative planning, design, and construction methods to reduce on-site construction time; PBES is one aspect where components are fabricated off site to reduce on-site activities.

Which initiative and goals motivated the use of accelerated bridge construction methods?

The FHWA “Every Day Counts” initiative aims to shorten overall project delivery time, enhance safety, and protect the environment on and around construction projects.

Oct 24, 2026

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