Seminar - Bob Sexsmith - Structural safety requirements for bridge falsework

Wednesday, November 14, 2001, 1.10 - 1.40 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Room 3

Abstract

Safety factors for temporary structures such as bridge falsework are not normally regulated by structural codes, leaving contractors with wide leeway. Some common approaches, such as use of ten year return wind for falsework bents, can be quite unconservative when the consequences of failure are considered, since the cost of permanent structure may be many times the falsework cost.

The presentation addresses the choice of safety requirements using decision analysis, in which construction cost and expected value of consequences are minimized, leading to optimal safety factors unique to each project.

CV of the Presenter

Bob Sexsmith is Professor of Structural Engineering, University of British Columbia. He was a partner with Buckland and Taylor Ltd., Bridge Consulting Engineers, with responsibility for a number of bridge erection projects, prior to joining UBC.