Alvi Associates, Inc.

Forensic Investigation for Edenville Dam Failure

2020 | Edenville, MI | Water Resources

Independent forensic investigation of the 2020 static liquefaction failure of Edenville Dam, which impounded a lake with about 36,000 acre-ft of storage. Alvi Associates led the investigation of human factors and participated in all aspects of the physical factors investigation across hydrologic, hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural engineering disciplines. About 2,700 hours were spent by Alvi Associates on this investigation.

Forensic Investigation for Oroville Dam Spillway Incident

2017 | Oroville, CA | Water Resources

Independent forensic investigation of the 2017 spillway failure at Oroville Dam - the tallest dam in the United States at 770 feet. The President and Chief Engineer of Alvi Associates was one of six team members, leading the human factors investigation. This was the first major dam incident investigation in which human factors received equal attention to physical factors. Recovery cost was estimated at $1.1 billion.

Forensic Investigation and Gatehouse Anchorage System for Prettyboy Dam

Maryland | Water Resources

Abovewater and underwater inspection, materials testing, forensic investigation, stability analysis, and design of a $6 million underwater post-tensioned anchorage system - the first of its type in the world. The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule and earned four engineering awards including the ASDSO National Rehabilitation Project of the Year.

Vessel Collision Study and Fender/Dolphin Systems for Route 5 Bridge

Virginia | Bridges

Major 21-span replacement bridge over the Chickahominy River. Alvi Associates performed a comprehensive marine vessel collision study and then used energy-based nonlinear design to create fender and dolphin systems protecting the bridge, including more than 100 piles in water depths up to 46 feet using an innovative partially-prestressed concrete approach.

Three Bridges at I-64/Mercury Boulevard Interchange

Hampton, VA | Bridges

Three innovative bridges including the first counterweight abutment bridge in the region (saving $1.7 million), the first US curved steel box girder bridge using high-performance steel, and the first fully-integral curved steel girder bridge in the United States.

Route 91 Bridge over Laurel Creek

Virginia | Bridges

Superstructure replacement for an existing four-span bridge and adjacent trail modification to create a jointless structure, increasing durability of the existing substructure. Refined design accounted for highly skewed bridge geometry. Elements adjacent to the trail received architectural treatments using stone from a local quarry to enhance aesthetics.

Rehabilitation of MD 214 Historic Truss Bridge

Maryland | Bridges

Comprehensive rehabilitation design for an existing historic steel truss bridge built in 1935 spanning 200 feet over the Patuxent River. The project included barge-access inspection, structural analysis for rehabilitation options, and detailed designs for deck replacement and connection repairs, yielding a 62% increase in bridge load capacity.

Hollins Road Bridge over Tinker Creek

Virginia | Bridges

Design of a new replacement bridge consisting of a three-span concrete rigid frame. Pile foundations were engineered to accommodate karst terrain with highly variable depth to bedrock, and a special construction sequence was used to minimize thermal forces and maintain traffic flow.

Human Factors in Dam Failure and Safety (Applied Research Program)

technical_paper | 2010