Finite-Element Simulation and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Full-Scale Skewed Inverted-T Bridge Caps with Traditional and Skew Reinforcements
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 7
Abstract
In highway design, inverted-T bridge caps (ITBCs) have been extensively used in the United States. Depending on the project requirements, some ITBCs need to be skewed. In Texas, the traditional method of flaring the transverse reinforcement out is used to design the skewed ITBCs, as stated in the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Bridge Design Manual. However, this method has significant drawbacks in terms of design and construction. To solve the complexities of the traditional method, the skewed reinforcing method is proposed to TxDOT. In this paper, to enlarge the knowledge of the structural behavior and the economic impact of skew reinforcing in ITBCs, the nonlinear finite-element (FE) simulation and cost–benefit analysis of 96 full-scale skewed ITBC models are performed. The structural and economic performance of the specimens are investigated and compared according to the following design variables: (1) skew angle; (2) transverse reinforcement detailing; (3) amount of the transverse reinforcement; (4) presence of the end reinforcement; (5) size of the diagonal end reinforcement; and (6) the concrete strength. The finite-element analysis shows that skew reinforcing can achieve better structural performance than the traditional method in terms of stiffness, crack width, and the ultimate capacity. Moreover, the skew transverse reinforcement method considerably reduces the design and construction costs.
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Acknowledgments
The authors sincerely acknowledge the support from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under Grant No. 0-6905. The support provided by the project supervisory committee is highly appreciated. The authors also appreciate the support from the lab staff and researchers at the University of Houston.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 7 • July 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 1, 2021
Accepted: Jan 14, 2022
Published online: Apr 21, 2022
Published in print: Jul 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Sep 21, 2022
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