Full-Scale Testing of Shear Key Details for Precast Concrete Box-Beam Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 9
Abstract
Box-beam bridge shear key connection designs are investigated by conducting full-scale structural tests. The authors’ evaluation included connection details, which are considered current good practice using high-strength nonshrink grout in combination with transverse posttensioning and novel details using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). The factors that affect shear key performance, including simulated traffic loading, thermal loads, level of transverse posttensioning, and different connection designs, are presented in this paper. A simplified model for calculating the transverse shear is proposed, and the possible transverse tensile force caused by eccentrically placed loads is discussed. The performances of different connection details are presented and compared. The findings of the research can be used to assist bridge owners in the use of this economical bridge type and can provide innovative solutions that advance state-of-the-practice in bridge construction.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The research project discussed herein was completed with the support of the federal and contract staff associated with the FHWA Structural Concrete Research Program. Special recognition goes to Dr. Gary Greene, who provided structural engineering support. Recognition also goes to Tim Tuggle, Andrei Denes, Kevin Deasy, and Paul Ryberg, all technicians in the FHWA Structural Testing Laboratory, for their assistance in completing the experimental testing program. The publication of this paper does not necessarily indicate approval or endorsement of the findings, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations either inferred or specifically expressed herein by the Federal Highway Administration or the U.S. government.
References
AASHTO. (2002). AASHTO standard specifications for highway bridges, 17th Ed., Washington, D.C.
AASHTO. (2010). AASHTO LRFD bridge construction specifications, 3rd Ed., Washington, DC.
AASHTO. (2013). AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications, 6th Ed., Washington, DC.
Annamalai, G., and Brown R. C. (1990). “Shear transfer behavior of post-tensioned grouted shear key connections in precast concrete-framed structures.” ACI Struct. J., 87(1), 53–60.
ASTM. (2013) “Standard test method for bond strength of epoxy-resin systems used with concrete by slant shear.” C882/C882M-13a, West Conshohocken, PA.
Bakht, B., Jaeger, L. G., and Cheung, M. S. (1983). “Transverse shear in multibeam bridge.” J. Struct. Eng., 936–949.
Buyukozturk, O., Bakhoum, M. M., and Beattie, M. (1990). “Shear behavior of joints in precast concrete segmental bridges.” J. Struct. Eng., 3380–3401.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA). (2000). “Design of highway bridges.” CSA S6-00, Rexdale, ON, Canada.
El-Remaily, A., Tadros, M. K., Yamane, T., and Krause, G. (1996). “Transverse design and adjacent precast prestressed concrete box girder bridge.” PCI J., 41(4), 96–113.
Graybeal, B. (2006) “Material property characterization of ultra-high performance concrete.” FHWA-HRT-06-103, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC.
Graybeal, B. (2011a). “Design and construction of field-cast UHPC Connections.” FHWA-HRT-14-084, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC.
Graybeal, B. (2011b). “Fatigue response in bridge deck connection composed of field-cast ultra-high performance concrete.” Transportation Research Record, 2251, 93–100.
Graybeal, B. (2011c). “Ultra-high performance concrete.” FHWA-HRT-11-038, Federal Highway Administration,Washington, DC.
Graybeal, B. (2015). “Splice length of prestressing strands in field-cast UHPC connections.” Mater. Struct. 48(6), 1831–1839.
Gulyas, R. J., Wirthlin, G. J., and Champa, J. T. (1995). “Evaluation of keyway grout test methods for precast concrete bridges.” PCI J., 40(1), 44–57.
Hanna, K. E., Morcous, G., and Tadros, M. K. (2007). “Transverse design and detailing of adjacent box beam bridges.” Proc., PCI Concrete Bridge Conf., Precast/Prestressed Concrete Insitute, Chicago, 22–24.
Huckelbridge, A. A., El-Esnawi, H., and Moses, F. (1995). “Shear key performance in multibeam box girder bridges.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 271–285.
Issa, M. A., Ribeiro, C. L., Abdalla, H. A., Islam, S., and Issa, M. A. (2003). “Performance of transverse joint grout materials in full-depth precast concrete bridge deck systems.” PCI J., 48(4), 92–103.
PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute). (2011). PCI bridge design manual, 3rd Ed., Chicago.
Russell, H. G.(2011). “Adjacent precast concrete box-beam bridges: State of the practice.” PCI J., 56(1), 75–91.
Russell, H. G., and Graybeal, B. (2013). “Ultra-high performance concrete: A state-of-the-art report for the bridge community.” FHWA-HRT-13-60, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC.
Sharpe, G. P. (2007). “Effect of cracking of shear keys in multi-beam bridges.” Master thesis, Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX.
Swenty, K. S., and Graybeal, B. (2013). “Material characterization of field-cast connection grouts.” FHWA-HRT-13-041, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC.
Varga, I., Haber, Z. B., and Graybeal, B. A. (2016). “Performance of grouted connections for prefabricated bridge elements–Part I: Material-level investigation on shrinkage and bond.” Proc., PCI National Bridge Conf., Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago.
Yuan, J., and Graybeal, B. (2014a). “Adjacent box beam connections.” Proc., PCI National Bridge Conference, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Insitute, Chicago.
Yuan, J., and Graybeal, B. (2014b). “Bond behavior of reinforcing steel in ultra-high performance concrete.” FHWA-HRT-14-090, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21 • Issue 9 • September 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 24, 2015
Accepted: Dec 10, 2015
Published online: Feb 26, 2016
Discussion open until: Jul 26, 2016
Published in print: Sep 1, 2016
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.