Strengthening of Steel Through-Girder Bridges Using UHPC and Post-Tensioning
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper presents a series of strengthening concepts for steel through-girder bridges using ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) and external post-tensioning (PT). Five concepts were investigated either by large-scale proof-of-concept experimental testing or numerical analysis. The goal of the research was to determine the characteristic behavior of the UHPC–steel composite system and provide guidance to designers regarding calculating the elastic and ultimate flexural behaviors of the strengthening concepts. Experimental work included laboratory testing of a single half-scale girder specimen designed using an actual in-service railway bridge as a reference. The half-scale girder specimen was subjected to elastic and ultimate loading. The numerical analysis included the development of a moment–curvature-based flexural capacity model and a limited parametric study. The findings suggest that the strengthening concepts are viable in some circumstances but have some drawbacks such as a need to implement a large UHPC cap with PT to observe increased system capacity. Finally, a brief set of design considerations is provided.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request, such as individual material characterization test results, i.e., compressive strength data for UHPC and tensile testing data from structural steel and PT bars; raw data collected from the elastic or ultimate loading procedures; and numerical analysis data.
Acknowledgments
The research presented in this paper was funded by the US Federal Highway Administration with contributions from the New York State Department of Transportation. This support is gratefully acknowledged. 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 United States Government. This research could not have been completed were it not for the dedicated support of the federal and contract staff associated with the FHWA Structural Concrete Research Program. Special thanks are given to Farghal Maree and Hibba Niaz for their assistance with the experiments and to Kevin Mackie for assistance with the OpenSees code.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 3 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 5, 2023
Accepted: Nov 5, 2023
Published online: Jan 5, 2024
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jun 5, 2024
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