Fatigue Evaluation of Transverse U-Bar Joint Details for Accelerated Bridge Construction
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 2
Abstract
When precast full-depth deck panels and/or decked bulb-Ts (DBTs) are used for accelerated bridge construction, transverse joints exist. In this study, continuous transverse U-bar joint details, which can provide negative moment continuity in multispan bridges, have been investigated. Four full-scale specimens connected by the developed U-bar detail together with the selected closure-pour (CP) materials, overnight cure and seven-day cure, were tested. Static and fatigue tests under tension loading were conducted. The loading demand necessary in the testing was determined based on the maximum forces in the transverse joint from an analytical study. Test results were evaluated based on tension capacity, cracking, and steel strain. Based on these test results, the developed transverse U-bar joint detail is a promising connection system.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper has been performed under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) NCHRP10-71 project, “Cast-in-Place Reinforced Concrete Connections for Precast Deck Systems.” Other research team members include R. Eriksson, C. Prussack, A. Schultz, S. Seguirant, and C. Shield. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support by Rick Merrit at Ross Prestressed Concrete, Inc. Gerdau Ameristeel and Engineered Wire products provided the reinforcement. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this paper are those of the authors. They are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board, the National Research CouncilNRC, the Federal Highway AdministrationFHA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or the individual states participating in the National Cooperative Highway Research ProgramNCHRP. The authors would also like to acknowledge Ken Thomas and Larry Roberts of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) for their assistance with the lab testing.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 2 • March 2012
Pages: 191 - 200
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 25, 2010
Accepted: Apr 7, 2011
Published online: Apr 12, 2011
Published in print: Mar 1, 2012
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