Consulting Civil and Environmental Engineers Since 1972

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Underclassmen Residence Hall Vehicular Bridge
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut

THE CHALLENGE: The Quinnipiac Project included the construction of a new Vehicular bridge over a small watercourse. The new bridge was designed to span the flood plain in order to limit environmental impacts. THE S0LUTION: The new bridge consisted of an AASHTO HS20 designed all timber superstructure on cast-in-place reinforced concrete abutments and wingwalls, on spread footings. The horizontally measured clear span was 60ft., and the clear road width was 22 ft. The rail system addressed both bicycle and vehicular requirements. Rail components selected by the Project Architect were round members, designed in accordance with AASHTO. The deck was a prefabricated, dowel laminated timber construction and included a membrane waterproofing system as well as a bituminous concrete wearing surface. The beams and diaphragms consisted of glued laminated timber members. Timbers were treated with a combination of pentachlorophenol or creosote. Reinforced elastomeric bearing pads with beveled steel sole plates were included due to the steep road grade. All fasteners were hot-dipped galvanized, and bolt threads were disrupted at the face of nut to prevent vandals from dismantling timber components. An approach guide rail system, featuring a timber construction coordinated to that of the superstructure completed the final design details. The bridge was completed in 1994. Final construction cost was approximately $212,000.

Project management was directed by an associate of the firm, specializing in bridge design. Services included everything from initial consultations with the Project Architect and presentation to Town officials, through project close-out.

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