United States Department of Transportation
i
Optimized Sections for Major Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders
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1982-02-01
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[PDF-2.47 MB]
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Abstract:The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the latest prestressed concrete bridge girder designs being used in the United States and to determine which represent optimum designs that could be promoted as national or regional standards. Bridges built with pretensioned I- and T-sections for spans in excess of 80 ft (24.4 m) and concrete compressive strengths up to 7000 psi (48.3 MPa) were considered. Information on current designs was collected from selected highway agencies and producers throughout the United States. In all states surveyed except California, the most economical bridges for spans of 70 to 130 ft (21.3 to 39.6 m) were constructed with pretensioned bridge girders. Precast prestressed bridge girder sections inventoried were analyzed on three efficiency scales. Bulb-T's, Colorado, and Washington girders were more structurally efficient than AASHTO-PCI girders. A computer program called "BRIDGE" was developed to perform cost analyses. Parameters included girder span, girder spacing, deck thickness and concrete compressive strength. Based on relative unit costs for in-lace materials and labor, cost charts were prepared for existing Bulb-T's, Colorado, Washington and AASHTO girders, and for their modified counterparts with 6-in. (152 mm) thick webs. All girders were compared using optimum cost curves. Bulb-T's were found most cost-effective with estimated cost savings of 17% on the in-place cost of girders and deck compared to the AASHTO girders. Next most cost-effective sections were the Washington Series girders. Modified Bulb-T's are recommended for use as national standards.
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