Behavior of RC Bridge Decks with Flexible Girders
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 1
Abstract
The current design practice for concrete bridge decks requires a top mat and a bottom mat of reinforcing bars. The chloride attack of the top mat of reinforcing bars is a major cause of deterioration of bridge decks. Empirical evidence has indicated that the top transverse reinforcing bars can essentially be eliminated without jeopardizing the structural integrity of a deck. To explore this issue, the behavior of a four-span highway bridge deck subjected to a test truck and normal traffic loads is being investigated. The behavior of the bridge deck under the test truck and various combinations of truck loads has been analyzed with the finite-element method. These results confirm the fact that a properly designed bridge deck does not require top transverse reinforcement for sustaining the negative bending moment induced by traffic loads.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 122 • Issue 1 • January 1996
Pages: 11 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1996
Published in print: Jan 1996
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