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INSTRUCTORS:
Jacob Dolas
Michael Haas
Jacob Behnke
Joe Orlando, P.E.
Tom Senior, PM
Course Length: 2 hours
Purpose and Background
This presentation was recorded at the 2026 CI & CRC Joint Conference.
Jacking Strategies for Complex Bridge Construction (43 minutes)
This presentation details the engineering of modular shoring towers and multi axis jacking systems used to reposition flared piers on the I 494 Minnesota River Bridge. The team designed fully bolted, inventory based towers capable of vertical lifting and longitudinal pulling, incorporating PTFE–stainless sliding surfaces to minimize unintended lateral load transfer. They modeled four tower variants and selected jacking forces based on a 25% stiffness overcoming criterion, while also accounting for wind, thermal effects, and friction. The longitudinal system used diaphragm mounted rods, jacking anchor posts, and reaction beams to apply 300–350 kip forces at roughly 50 feet above the footing, requiring careful evaluation of pile overstress and footing moment capacity. Field results showed partial recovery of pier alignment and twist, with the shoring and jacking systems performing as predicted.
Standing on History: Replacing the Ticonic Bridge (50 minutes)
This presentation examines closure span engineering and jacking operations used to complete complex steel girder bridges, illustrated through Chicago and St. Louis case studies. Engineers validated cantilever erection of long spans and used four synchronized 30 ton jacks to pull drop in girders into position while relying on lubricated sliding bearings to control movement. The work required disengaging and re engaging lateral bracing, coordinating crane supported drop ins, and preparing contingency systems such as strongbacks and cross frame releases to manage fit up tolerances. In the St. Louis Chain of Rocks project, the team designed both pull and push jacking operations across skewed girders, accounting for friction, cross frame stiffness, and geometric offsets. These examples highlight the analytical modeling, field sequencing, and constructability driven decision making required for successful closure operations on major bridge replacements.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the design, load modeling, and modular configuration of vertical and longitudinal jacking systems used to reposition bridge piers, including how sliding surfaces, bolted splices, and inventory-based components influence system behavior.
- Evaluate the structural and geotechnical constraints governing pier repositioning operations and apply these considerations to similar complex bridge rehabilitation projects.
- Assess closure-span jacking strategies for steel girder bridges, including cantilever stability, drop-in girder fit-up, sliding-bearing behavior, and the use of multi-point jacking systems to control alignment during erection.
- Apply constructability-driven engineering methods to staged bridge replacement, including contingency planning for water levels, push–pull jacking operations, skewed girder behavior, and cross-frame interaction during closure operations.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Structural Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Project Controls Engineer
- Design-Build Project Engineer
- Construction Project Manager
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]