Behavior of Longitudinal Joints in Staged Concrete Bridge Decks Subject to Displacements during Curing
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 24, Issue 7
Abstract
Staged bridge deck construction is the practice whereby a portion of a bridge is left open to traffic while the closed portion is constructed, repaired, replaced, or widened. Traffic-induced deflections and vibrations during staged construction may affect the integrity of the longitudinal construction joint between the deck stages and the bond between reinforcing steel and concrete in this area. In this investigation, two test specimens were constructed using a simulated staged bridge deck construction process. To simulate traffic, the specimens were subjected to different magnitudes of differential deflections during curing of the second-stage concrete. Once the concrete achieved its specified compressive strength, the specimens were tested to failure to evaluate the integrity of the longitudinal construction joint and the bond between concrete and lap-spliced steel reinforcement in the construction joint region. Immediate damage caused by the induced differential displacements was minimal; only a single hairline crack was observed in each specimen at the location of maximum negative moment. When subjected to a flexural strength test, both specimens failed in flexure–compression at the end of the spliced reinforcement after substantial inelastic deformations had taken place. Additionally, strain data indicated that even when subjected to differential displacements during curing, the concrete–steel bond was capable of developing the actual yield strength of the reinforcing bars (558 MPa or 81 ksi).
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the support of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation under Project 0092-16-04. Laboratory testing was conducted with the guidance and aid of Jacob Zeuske. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the sponsors at the time of publication.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 24 • Issue 7 • July 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 12, 2018
Accepted: Feb 6, 2019
Published online: May 3, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 3, 2019
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