Brightman Street Bridge

Fall River, MA

During the placement of the concrete for an underwater pier cofferdam seal at the west bascule of the new Brightman Street Bridge, which spans over the Taunton River, the concrete tremie failed. SGH evaluated the cause of the failure and assisted the contractor in preparing an alternate concrete mix design and placing methods and sequence for the 143 foot long, 85 foot wide, 16 foot thick, 7,200 cubic yard concrete tremie seal at both the west and east ends of the bascule piers. The concrete mix was proportioned, designed, and laboratory tested by SGH to allow for a 48-hour continuous underwater placement without cold joints. SGH also performed thermal analysis of the mass concrete bascule pier seals and mass concrete placements for the pile caps on both approach spans including laboratory testing to determine a heat signature of the concrete mixture and computer simulation of the heat generation during curing.

Service Provided:
Investigation & Rehabilitation

Supporting Capabilities:
Concrete Technology
Field & Laboratory Testing