When the floodwaters come, it’s the bridges that are most vulnerable to collapse. Between 2005 and 2012, there were 60 bridge collapses in the United States alone, including such dramatic incidents as the 2007 collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota (10 deaths), and the 2011 failure of the Walkway Over the Hudson suspension bridge (4 deaths). Here are 10 steps that can be taken to prevent your bridge from collapsing in a flood or heavy rainstorm, with tips from FEMA on how to protect all of your flood-prone infrastructure.
1) Heavy Rainfall
1. If you live in an area that's prone to heavy rainfall, it's important to take steps to prevent your bridge from collapsing.
2. One way to do this is by ensuring that the foundation of your bridge is built on solid ground.
3. Another way to prevent collapse is by ensuring that the bridge is properly reinforced.
4. yet another way to reduce the risk of collapse is by making sure that the weight of the bridge is evenly distributed. 5. For example, if there are two lanes for traffic and the left lane has fewer cars than the right lane, you can move all traffic over to the left lane so that both lanes have about the same amount of weight on them. 6. Finally, you can always add extra supports under or around your bridge to help distribute weight more evenly.
2) Ice Dams
One way to prevent your bridge from collapsing in a flood is to ensure that ice dams don't form. Ice dams can form when water seeps through cracks in the bridge and then freezes, creating a dam that can block the flow of water and cause the bridge to collapse. To prevent this, you can regularly inspect your bridge for cracks and repair them as soon as possible. You can also apply a sealant to the outside of the bridge to further waterproof it.
3) Brittle Concrete
One way to prevent your bridge from collapsing is by using concrete that is less brittle. Brittle concrete is more likely to crack and crumble under the pressure of floodwaters, so using a type that is less susceptible to this will help keep your bridge intact. The stress-cracking index can be used to assess how strong the concrete is. The higher the number, the stronger it is; however, this can change depending on other factors such as temperature or age.
4) Groundwater Issues
5) Poor Foundations
One of the most common causes of bridge collapse is poor foundations. If the foundation is not strong enough to support the weight of the bridge, it can cause the bridge to collapse. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that the foundation is made of strong materials such as concrete or steel. You should also make sure that the structure is designed well and supported by cables. It's also important to monitor the condition of your bridge on a regular basis so you know if there are any weak points.
6) Underwater Objects
Most bridges are designed to withstand the weight of cars and trucks driving across them day after day. But when heavy rains cause floodwaters to rise, even the sturdiest bridge can be at risk of collapse. Here are 10 ways you can help prevent your bridge from being swept away in a flood 1) Keep an eye on river levels: If you know that a rainstorm is approaching, take steps to raise your car or truck off the ground and onto bricks or blocks.
2) Do not drive on flooded roads: If water levels reach more than two feet deep, it is too dangerous for cars or trucks to drive over a bridge.
7) Tree Roots
One way to prevent your bridge from collapsing in a flood is to ensure that the tree roots near the foundation are properly removed. If the roots are left unchecked, they can grow into and destabilize the foundation, which can lead to collapse during a flood. Tree roots should be cleared at least 3 feet from the edge of the structure.
8) Outdated Infrastructure
One of the primary causes of bridge collapses is outdated infrastructure. This is often due to a lack of maintenance or repair, which can weaken the structure and make it more susceptible to collapse. There are several ways to prevent this, including conducting routine inspections, repairing any damage found during an inspection, and upgrading your bridges when possible. For example, if you have an old concrete beam that has become too heavy for its support (as bridges are apt to do), installing steel beams under the beam can be a good solution.
9) Other Factors to Consider
Floods can wreak havoc on bridges, causing serious damage and even collapse. But there are ways to help prevent this from happening. Here are 10 things you can do to make sure your bridge is safe during the next storm:
1) Stay updated on weather reports and have an emergency plan ready for any worst-case scenarios. 2) Check the creek bed before the flood waters rise to make sure there are no large obstacles that could cause a problem if the water level rises quickly or unevenly (i.e., boulders, tree trunks). It's best not to get too close though as high-velocity currents can be dangerous.
10) Poor Planning
One of the main reasons bridges collapse during floods is due to poor planning. Before construction even begins, the location of the bridge should be analyzed for its flood risk. The soil type in the area also needs to be taken into account, as some soils are more susceptible to erosion than others. Bridges can also fall victim to flooding if they're not designed properly or have too much weight on them. In this case, heavy load restrictions and other engineering adjustments may need to be made.