Investigation of Cracking in Concrete Bridge Decks at Early Ages
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 4, Issue 2
Abstract
The loads, construction procedures, and material behavior influence the performance of the bridge deck as well as its structural integrity. This paper includes a thorough investigation to identify the probable causes of cracking in reinforced concrete bridge decks, particularly at early ages. The objectives of the study were addressed through a literature review process and a comprehensive nationwide survey. Experiments were performed to establish the magnitude of the modulus of elasticity of concrete at early ages as well as the curvature it can withstand without cracking. A computer program was developed to take into account the loads due to sequence of pours. A compendium was developed to categorize the various causes of cracking to identify appropriate procedures that may control this cracking. The parameters considered in the investigation were age of concrete, stage and sequence of pours, curing procedures, heat of hydration, strength gain, thermal changes, and construction type. Results of the literature review and survey indicated that in most cases, cracking of concrete may be attributed to the high evaporation rate and high magnitude of shrinkage. Other factors include the use of high slump concrete, excessive water in the concrete, insufficient top reinforcement cover, insufficient vibration of the concrete, inadequate reinforcing details of the joint between the new and old deck, sequence of pour, and weight and deflection of the forms. The calculated curvatures for the selected bridges were smaller than the curvatures needed to crack dynamically loaded fresh concrete in a laboratory environment.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Ayoub, H., and Karshenas, S. (1994). “Survey results for concrete construction live loads on newly poured slabs.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 120(5), 1543–1563.
2.
Dakhil, F. H., Cady, P. D., and Carrier, E. ( 1975). “Cracking of fresh concrete as related to reinforcement.” ACI Struct. J., 72(8), 421–428.
3.
Furr, H. L., and Fouad, F. H. ( 1981). “Bridge slab concrete placed adjacent to moving live loads.” Res. Rep. No. 266-1F, Texas Transportation Institute, State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, College Station, Tex., 131.
4.
Gaunt, J. T., Aramraks, T., Gutzwiller, M., and Lee, R. H. ( 1977). “Highway bridge vibration studies.” Transp. Res. Rec. 645, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 15–20.
5.
Grundy, P., and Kabaila, A. ( 1963). “Construction loads on slabs with shored formwork in multistory buildings.” ACI J., 60(12), 1729–1738.
6.
Halvorsen, G. T. ( 1991). “Troubleshooting concrete cracking during construction.” Aberdeen's Concrete Constr., 36(11), 811–816.
7.
Harsh, S., and Darwin, D. ( 1983). “Effect of traffic induced vibration on bridge deck repairs.” Rep., Center for Research, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., June.
8.
Hilsdorf, H. K., and Lott, J. L. ( 1970). “Revibration of retarded concrete for continuous bridge decks.” NCHRP Rep. No. 106, Highway Research Board, Washington, D.C.
9.
Issa, M. A. ( 1998). “Construction loads and vibrations.” Final Rep. No. ITRC FR 94-3, Illinois Transportation Research Center/Illinois Department of Transportation, March, 268.
10.
Lane, D. S. ( 1994). “Investigation of bridge deck cracking on I-95 northbound over Powell Creek.” Rep., Virginia Transportation and Research Council, Charlottesville, Va., 11.
11.
Manning, D. G. ( 1981). “Effect of traffic induced vibrations on bridge-deck repairs.” Synthesis of Highway Practice, Rep. No. 86, Washington, D.C.
12.
Prenger, H. B. ( 1992). “Bridge deck cracking, research report.” Rep. No. MD-93-04, Maryland Dept. of Transp., State Highway Administration, Baltimore, Md., 19.
13.
Schmitt, T. R., and Darwin, D. ( 1995). “Cracking in concrete bridge decks. Report K-TRAN.” Rep. No. Ku-94-1, Cooperative Transportation Research Program Between Kansas Dept. of Transp., Kansas State University, and University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., 151.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
History
Received: Sep 12, 1997
Published online: May 1, 1999
Published in print: May 1999
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.