Rashean Senior
Dr. Guenzel
ENC 1102-xxxx
February 23, 2013
Introduction
As a civil engineering major, it has interested me to find that my main discipline
is in a crisis. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers approximately 1 in 9
of United States bridges are rated structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. To
define structurally deficient bridges are critical bridges that require significant
maintenance and functionally obsolete bridges are outdated bridges that no longer meet
the current standards that are needed today. It is no question whether these bridges need
attention to avoid fatal incidents but the real question remains, how are we to generate to
funds needed to fix these crippling bridges? Some researchers might argue that this
problem is an outdated one but I disagree. Many people and organizations such as the
ASCE still agree that this is an ongoing problem that needs to be put to a stop. With this
said I plan to inspect upon the preceding question through analysis of the information
researched
Research Map
1. Research Questions
Why should the department of transportation allocate more funds into bridges?
2. Keywords
Structurally deficient: Bridges that require significant maintenance, rehabilitation, or
replacement.
Functionally obsolete: Bridges that no longer meet the current standards that are used
today. Examples are narrow lanes or low load-carrying capacity.
3.Field Research / Internet / Library
Senior 2
3. I did mostly Internet research, however there is a good sum of library work involved in the
research. Unfortunately for my topic there is not much I can do regarding field research
4.Time Tables
Feb5-7
ResearchMap
LibraryCourseDue
Feb8-9
TBA
Feb10-11 Feb12-13
Feb14-15
Feb16-17
Feb18-19
Feb20-21
Feb22-23 Feb24-25
Feb26-27
TBA ReadingResponseFeb12 ReadingResponseFeb14 Feb17ReadingResponse Feb19ReadingResponse ComparingAPAandMLAStyles Drafting WorkshopDraft AnnotatedBiliography RevisionResearchProposal Feb26
Research
Research
Digital PaperTrail
Research
Drafting
ReadingResponse2
Research
Annotated Bibliography
BY THE NUMBERS. (2011). Planning, 77(2), 34.
This source is going to be one of my main statistics which will inform my of the
American satisfaction related to the bridges. I will refer to this when I want to bring
credible opinions. Its only one page of graphs but it satisfies my need for the American
opinion. The statistic gathered is credible
Zeyher, A. (2013). Straining to maintain. Roads & Bridges, 51(7), 16-20.
This journal is going to be my main source. It provides most of the general information I
need to know about my topic. The author is credible in the information as he gets it
mostly from the ASCE. This source is from the Roads and Bridges a reliable 103-year
publication for engineers.
"2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure." 2013 Report Card for Americas
Infrastructure. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014.
This is the most recent data regarding America’s infrastructure and most important
Americas bridges. It provides us with the data we need such as bridge statistics, grades,
and current standards. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) founded in 1852
is a most definitely credible source
Final Draft ResearchDossier
Senior 3
Aerov, A. A. (2011). Why the water bridge does not collapse. Physical Review E:
Statistical, Nonlinear & Soft Matter Physics, 84(3-2), 036314-1-036314-4.
The author gives a really interesting look at a mostly unknown type of bridge, the water
bridge. I understand that the water bridge only accommodates boats but it’s amazing that
the author is able to give an unbiased look upon the physics of it. It mostly informs about
the water bridges ability to withstand massive tension and force without breaking. I can
refer to this as an alternative to some of the bridges we have now
Wilson, B. (2013). Some truth. Roads & Bridges, 51(5), 22-26.
The author gives an updated and opposing view upon the state of Americas crippling
infrastructure. This is another viewpoint that I can adapt for me essay. The author is sure
to avoid being biased in his views. This source is from the Roads and Bridges a reliable
103-year publication for engineers.
Evans-Pughe, C. 2009. "Bridge of sighs." Engineering & Technology (17509637) 4,
no. 20: 69-71.
This source gives talks about the infamous Mississippi bridge collapse and other failed
bridges. I hope to refer back to it because collapsing bridge is a strong fear appeal, which
will give my essay a better argument. The author gives biased opinions upon the subject.
Sofge, E., Coburn, D., Hutchinson, A., Masamitsu, E., McCarthy, E., & Scottberg,
E. (2008). THE WORK STARTS HERE. Popular Mechanics, 185(5), 60-75.
This article basically brings the infrastructure crisis to light but most importantly it offers
ideas on how to fix this crisis. It also gives insight on the Minnesota Department of
Transports reflection on their bridge collapse. The information in here is ideal in creating
a good tieback on how to hopefully fix the problem. The author has very good
suggestions and is biased in his opinions concerning the problems plaguing infrastructure.
Albright, S. (2007). Safe and Secure? (Cover story). News Media & The Law, 31(4),
4-10.
This source tells reports of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sending letters to
state officials cautioning against the public disclosure of any bridge records that might
show a structure’s vulnerability. I will refer to it when I plan to describe how the bridges
actual conditions are being cover up.
Rehm, K. (2013). Primary element. Roads & Bridges, 51(5), 34-41.
Senior 4
This source is one of the more updated ones. It gives an update on the continuous
improvements of bridge inspections. It mentions how President Obama brought up the
bridge problem in his 2013 state of union address and how ensuring safety is primary
objective of U.S. bridge industry. The author is biased in her opinion on how there is a
need to apply timely preservation activities to keep the bridges that aren’t in critical
condition in good shape. This source is from the Roads and Bridges a reliable 103-year
publication for engineers.
Wilson, B. (2013). Pa. bridges reach their limit. Roads & Bridges, 51(9), 14-19.
This source is news brief on the bridges as of August 2013. It details how the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (which state has one of the highest number of
critical bridges) is putting a weight restriction on its 1,000 structurally deficient bridges.
This source is from the Roads and Bridges a reliable 103-year publication for engineers.