Woodrow Wilson Bridge

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Construction of the cast in place concrete connection between one end of V-shaped bridge pier and one end of concrete tension beam, which ties two ends of bridge pier together to carry their outward thrust. The key element is the tightly grouped reinforcing steel in the center of the photo. Wood forms are being built around the reinforcing steel, and ready-mix concrete will be placed to fill the forms around the steel. After this concrete has gained its strength, the white-sleeve covered steel bolts will be tensioned to connect the tie beam to the bridge pier. A worker in the center of the photo gives an idea of scale of the construction. The top of the bridge pier consists of three sections of precast concrete connected together. These are easily differentiated in the lower right quadrant. These are tied together by post-tensioned long steel bolts whose ends are exposed here near the edge of the concrete section. Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement, Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland, Capitol Beltway, I-95/I-495. November 2006.

Precast concrete bridge construction posttensioned structure cantilevered arch section pier V pier structural steel beam tension tie beam truss erection tower scaffold ready mix cable Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement reinforcing tubes Potomac River between Virginia Maryland Capital Beltway I95