Field verification for the effectiveness of continuity diaphragms for skewed continuous P/C P/S concrete girder bridges.
Advanced Search
Select up to three search categories and corresponding keywords using the fields to the right. Refer to the Help section for more detailed instructions.

Search our Collections & Repository

For very narrow results

When looking for a specific result

Best used for discovery & interchangable words

Recommended to be used in conjunction with other fields

Dates

to

Document Data
Library
People
Clear All
Clear All

For additional assistance using the Custom Query please check out our Help Page

i

Field verification for the effectiveness of continuity diaphragms for skewed continuous P/C P/S concrete girder bridges.

Filetype[PDF-5.22 MB]


Select the Download button to view the document
This document is over 5mb in size and cannot be previewed
English

Details:

  • Creators:
  • Corporate Creators:
  • Corporate Contributors:
  • Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Publication/ Report Number:
  • Resource Type:
  • Geographical Coverage:
  • Edition:
    Final report; April 2006-March 2008.
  • Corporate Publisher:
  • Abstract:
    The research presented herein describes the field verification for the effectiveness of continuity diaphragms for

    skewed continuous precast, prestressed, concrete girder bridges. The objectives of this research are (1) to perform

    field load testing on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) overpass and compare measured strains with those

    determined through the theoretical analyses and (2) to study the effects of continuity diaphragms on stresses and

    deflections from truck loading on bridge deck slab and bridge girders.

    The current design concept of continuity diaphragms was examined to determine the effectiveness of the

    diaphragms in skewed bridges. The bridge parameters that were considered include skew angle, length of the

    span, beam spacing, the ratio of beam spacing to span (aspect ratio), and the ratio of girder stiffness to that of the

    slab. A prestressed concrete bridge with continuity diaphragms and a skewed angle of 48° was selected by a team

    of engineers from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), the Louisiana

    Transportation Research Center (LTRC), the Federal Highway Agency (FHWA).

    The BNSF Overpass Bridge is located on US-90 in Jennings, Louisiana. The field verification was performed

    using a comprehensive instrumentation plan and live load tests as described in this report. The field and

    theoretical results from this study provided a fundamental understanding of the load transfer mechanism through

    these diaphragms of skewed, continuous span bridges. The findings in this study on stresses, strains, and

    deflections in the bridge deck and girders indicated that the effects of the continuity diaphragms on skewed

    continuous span precast prestressed concrete girder bridges were negligible. The results presented in this report

    also confirmed the theoretical findings published in LTRC Report 383 titled “Continuity Diaphragm for Skewed

    Continuous Span Precast Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges.” Continuity diaphragms used in prestressed

    concrete girder bridges on skewed bents provided additional redundancy in the bridge but caused difficulties in

    detailing and construction. As the skew angle increases or the girder spacing decreases, the construction becomes

    more difficult and the effectiveness of the diaphragms becomes questionable. It is also recommended that the use

    of continuity diaphragms be evaluated based on the need for the enhanced structural redundancy, the reduced

    expansion joint installation and maintenance costs, and the associated construction difficulties and costs. The

    outcome of this research will reduce the construction and maintenance costs of bridges throughout Louisiana and

    the United States.

  • Format:
  • Funding:
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:

Supporting Files

  • No Additional Files
More +

You May Also Like

Checkout today's featured content at rosap.ntl.bts.gov