Live-Load Testing of Flat Precast Slab Bridge to Determine Joint Efficiency and Distribution Factors for Moment
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 35, Issue 1
Abstract
A live-load test was conducted on an in-service bridge containing flat precast concrete slabs. The purpose of the test was to evaluate transverse load distribution and efficiency of the longitudinal slab-to-slab joints. The precast slabs spanned (15 ft) and were (5.5 ft) wide. Slab-to-slab joints consisted of V-shaped interlocking shear keys. The live-load test measured vertical displacement of the slabs at several critical locations under a crawling () loaded dump truck. From the deflection data, joint efficiency and experimental distribution factors for moments (DFMs) were calculated. The test results demonstrated that the joints were no longer capable of distributing loads transversely, and each slab acted independently. Based on the test results, it is recommended that 0.55 should be the minimum distribution factor used when calculating moment demand.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Testing and analysis were sponsored by South Carolina DOT, the Federal Highway Administration and Clemson University’s Glenn Department of Civil Engineering. The authors thank Scott Black and Sam Dodd for helping with the live-load test setup.
References
AASHTO. 2014. LRFD bridge design specifications. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
Dowell, R., and J. Smith. 2006. “Structural tests of precast, prestressed concrete deck panels for California freeway bridges.” PCI J. 51 (2): 76–87. https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij.03012006.76.87.
Field, C., C. Roberts-Wollmann, and T. Cousins. 2020. Implementation of an improved shear key detail in the buffalo branch bridge. Richmond, VA: Virginia DOT.
Freeman, C., W. Potter, and B. Vasconcelos. 2018. Solid concrete slab bridges effective width recommendations. Tallahassee, FL: Florida DOT.
Fu, C. C., M. Elhelbawey, M. A. Sahin, and D. R. Schelling. 1996. “Lateral distribution factor from bridge field testing.” J. Struct. Eng. 122 (9): 1106–1109. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1996)122:9(1106).
Shahrooz, B., and S. Boy. 2004. “Retrofit of a three-span slab bridge with fiber reinforced polymer systems—Testing and rating.” J. Compos. Constr. 8 (3): 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0268(2004)8:3(241).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 35 • Issue 1 • February 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 14, 2020
Accepted: Aug 26, 2020
Published online: Nov 19, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Apr 19, 2021
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.