Field and Analytical Studies of the First Folded-Plate Girder Bridge
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 11
Abstract
An innovative bridge that includes prefabricated folded-plate girders (FPGs), precast-posttensioned lower sections of the integral abutments, and a precast T-wall gravity wingwall system is studied. Some results are specific to the girder system, but others can be generalized to single-span integral-abutment bridges and to the durability of prefabricated elements. Data were collected during construction, static live-load testing, and long-term monitoring and were compared to finite-element modeling. Stresses in concrete and steel components remained low throughout construction, long-term data collection, and truck-load testing. Live-load test data indicate that the elastic neutral axis of the FPG is higher than that calculated and that positive shear lag (nonuniform girder flange stress) is observed under localized point loads. Limiting the movement of the wingwall and directing attention to the curing of cast-in-place elements would further improve the quality of future bridges. Observations on the daily thermal gradient are applicable to other single-span integral abutment bridges and show that reversed thermal gradient (superimposing day strains from a warmer deck than girder on cold days and night strains from a cooler deck on warm days) can lead to higher girder stresses than those observed on the hottest or coldest days.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The instrumentation described in this research was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation as part of the Accelerated Bridge Program. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data reported herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
References
ANSYS 14 [Computer software]. ANSYS, Canonsburg, PA.
API (American Petroleum Institute). (1993). Recommended practice for planning, designing and constructing fixed offshore platforms—Working stress design. Washington, DC.
ASCE. (2014). “2013 report card for America’s infrastructure.” 〈http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/bridges/overview〉 (Dec. 15, 2015).
Azizinamini, A. (2009). “A new era for short-span bridges.” Mod. Steel Constr., Sept., 53–54.
Barker, R. M., Duncan, J. M., Rojiani, K. B., Ooi, P. S., Tan, C. K., and Kim, S. G. (1991). Manuals for the design of bridge foundations, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Burner, K. A. (2010). “Experimental investigation of folded plate girders and slab joints used in modular construction.” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. 〈http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/civilengdiss/8〉 (Dec. 15, 2015).
CDR Bridge Systems. (2015). “Folded plate steel girder system (FPSGS).” 〈http://www.cdrbridges.com/fspgs-description/〉 (Mar. 23, 2016).
Civjan, S. A., Brena, S. F., Kalayci, E., and Quinn, B. H. (2014). “Performance monitoring of jointless bridges—Phase III.” Final Rep. 2014-07, Vermont Agency of Transportation, Montpelier, VT.
Glaser, L. A. (2010). “Constructability testing of folded plate girders.” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. 〈http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/civilengdiss/9〉 (Dec. 15, 2015).
Sit, M. H. (2014) “Field and analytical studies of the first folded plate girder bridge.” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. 〈http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=masters_theses_2〉.
Transportation for America. (2014). “The fix we’re in for: The state of our bridges.” 〈http://t4america.org/docs/bridgereport2013/2013BridgeReport.pdf〉 (Dec. 15, 2015).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 17, 2015
Accepted: Feb 10, 2016
Published online: May 6, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 6, 2016
Published in print: Nov 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.