LittleInch (Petroleum)29 Mar 18 09:13 & epoxybot (Structural)29 Mar 18 05:33
Thanks for your photos on the two bridge ends.
It now seems
(1) The 6 PT strands have been reduced to 4.
(2) The unused 2 outer strand canopy positions may have been used for connecting the drainage between the two spans.
(3) Blister on top of #10-11
was sealed prior to the collapse
My experience would confirm LittleInch query of the extra rebar or starter bars at the north canopy. The drawings show #12 has a 12" extra concrete beyond the deck's edge. This appears to be used for bolting up with the second span which has exactly the same design. The 2x12" void is indicated as (2-0" canopy closure).
The same arrangement can be seen on the deck. The sticking out rebar or starters bars should be for the second stage concrete when the 2' closure is filled.
Additionally for constructing the 81' tall by 6' wide by 5' deep pylon, for connecting the stayed pipes, #12 will be enclosed by concrete on 3 sides (east, north & west leaving only its south face as the final finish). This explain why
(1) there are 9 vertical starter bars cast below as well above the north edge of the canopy, apparently for providing vertical reinforcing steel continuity between the column below and above the canopy. The 6' by 5' column below the canopy will encase #12 on 3 sides.
(2) about 14 horizontal bars on the east and south face of #12 (bars are close to the south face and were tied to timber during the move), this should be for the continuity of the horizontal links or stirrups of the pylon which is clearly has to be a reinforced concrete column design.
(3) starter bars sticking out on either side of #12 bottom and away from the PVC pipes found unbroken after the collapse.
It would be ironic if the bottom connection of #11/12 with the deck, which some of us are convinced to be a weak link structurally according to the evidence, were proved to be the root cause of the collapse.
The design was forced to changed by moving the transporter positions into the inner span thereby necessitating additional post-tensions in #2 and #11. It was during the re-adjustment of these tensions that the bridge fell.
Had the bridge survived the readjustment and the first common section of the pylon cast linking the two spans together the weakness of #11/12 connection would be removed as the horizontal forces of the long span would have a reaction to bear against with. The bridge would be safe as original intended.