Innovative System for Curved Precast Posttensioned Concrete I-Girder and U-Girder Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 11
Abstract
A new system for framing curved bridges using precast prestressed concrete girders is introduced. The main feature of the new system is the use of relatively short [6–12 m (20–40 ft)] straight girder segments that are joined and posttensioned to form a full-length curved girder. The visual impact of the deviation of these chords from a true curve is indistinguishable by a casual observer. However, it greatly simplifies production of precast curved girders, which are currently produced in full-span piece lengths. Another feature of the new system is utilization of two of the most commonly used precast concrete girder shapes: I-girder and U-girder. The straight-line bridge girder forms and prestressing bed can be used for the proposed curved girder system, saving considerable initial capital and allowing more precasters to compete for this type of bridge. The result is a better value of the cost-effective precast concrete stringer system compared to curved steel, cast-in-place concrete, and segmental precast systems. This paper presents the components of the new system and proposed construction stages. It also presents an overview of the analytical and experimental investigations conducted to evaluate the constructability and structural performance of the proposed system. Preliminary design aids are presented to assist in determining suitable girder size for different span lengths and radii of curvature.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank e.construct, LLC, for their financial support of this research. Specimens for the experimental program were provided by Concrete Industries (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Coreslab Structure (Omaha, Nebraska). Their generous contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
References
AASHTO. (2014). AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications, 5th Ed., Washington, DC.
ACI (American Concrete Institute) Committee 318. (2011). Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-11) and commentary (ACI 318R-11), Farmington Hills, MI.
Alawneh, M. (2013). Curved precast prestressed concrete girder bridges. Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
CSA (Canadian Standards Association). (2006). “Canadian highway bridge design code.” CAN/CSA-S6-06, Mississauga, Canada.
Hwang, C. S., and Hsu, T. T. C. (1983). “Mixed torsion analysis of reinforced concrete channel beams—A fourier series approach.” ACI J., 80(5), 377–386.
Krpan, P. (1974). “The behavior of open, thin-walled, restrained, reinforced concrete members in torsion.” Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Krpan, P., and Collins, M. P. (1981). “Testing thin-walled open RC structure in torsion.” J. Struct. Eng., 107(ST6), 1129–1141.
Luccioni, B. M., Reimundin, J. C., and Danesi, R. F. (1991). “Prestressed concrete I-beams under combined mixed torsion, flexure and shear.” Struct. Build. Board, 91(9708), 577–592.
PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute). (2011). Bridge design manual, 3rd Ed., Chicago.
PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute). (2012). Curved precast concrete bridges state-of-the-art report, 1st Ed., Chicago.
SSRC (Structural Stability Research Council). (1991). “A look to the future.” Rep. of Workshop on Horizontally Curved Girders, Task Group 14, Chicago, 1–18.
Sun, C., Hennessey, S., Ahlman, M., and Tadros, M. (2007). “Value engineering arbor road bridge with curved precast concrete girders.” PCI J., 52(2), 94–106.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 19, 2015
Accepted: Mar 22, 2016
Published online: May 31, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 31, 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.