Abstract
This paper describes the structural aspects of the collapse of the Concorde overpass, crossing Autoroute 19, in Laval, north of Montréal. The original design and the reinforcing details for the thick cantilever slab that failed are discussed. Results from testing a simulated portion of the bridge with as-designed and as-built details are presented. The structural analysis results, by using various bridge design codes to determine the design forces, are compared. The results from nonlinear finite-element analysis, simulating the concrete deterioration, are used to explain the cause of failure of the thick cantilever slab under essentially its self-weight after 36 years in service.
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Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge the members of the commission of inquiry, Pierre-Marc Johnson, Armand Couture, and Roger Nicolet, for applying their vast experience in an impartial, authoritative, and fair manner. We acknowledge the valuable leadership of the legal team, headed by Michel Décarie, and to the important linkage between the legal team and the technical team provided by Michel Lemoine.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 25 • Issue 6 • December 2011
Pages: 545 - 553
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 31, 2010
Accepted: Oct 11, 2010
Published online: Nov 15, 2011
Published in print: Dec 1, 2011
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