Precast. New resource may spur competition. (Photo courtesy of Rizzani De Eccher/Deal)

The authors of a new how-to manual want to help builders avoid common pitfalls associated with segmental bridges.

"We’ve all made mistakes," says John D. Armeni, chief estimator for major projects at Atlanta-based APAC Inc., and chairman of a 25-member committee that has drafted Construction Practices Handbook for Segmental Concrete Bridges. The manual may soften the learning curve for builders working with segmental designs, Armeni says.

One chapter titled Lessons Learned reviews mistakes made on past projects, such as unsafe overloads and delaminated decks. Such discussions are "long overdue," says Myint Lwin, director of the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Bridge Technology.

Riccardo Castracani, business development manager for Rizzani de Eccher USA Inc. in Aventura, Fla., adds that builders with limited segmental experience may be "less hesitant to dive into this now that there is a handbook."

A growing market for modular structures prompted members of the American Segmental Bridge Institute to develop the 267-page book two years ago. The first edition was aired last month.

ASBI plans to hold technical seminars on the book’s guidelines this coming August. More information is available online at www.asbi-assoc.org.