PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OF AASHTO GIRDERS WITH NEW OPTIMIZED SECTIONS

Structural efficiency and cost-effectiveness of bridges built with pretensioned I-sections and T-sections and a cast-in-place deck were evaluated. Selected precast, prestressed sections produced in the United States were compared with AASHTO and Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) girders. Spans in excess of 80-ft. (24.4 m) were considered. Bulb-T, Colorado, and Washington girders were more structurally efficient than AASHTO-PCI girders. Cost analyses were performed on existing Bulb-T, Colorado, Washington, and AASHTO girders, and on modified counterparts with 6-in.-thick (152-mm) webs. Bulb-T's were found to be the most cost-effective girder, with estimated cost savings of 17 percent on the in-place cost of girders and deck compared with the AASHTO girders. For equal span length, girder spacing, and truck loading, modified Bulb-T's required up to 25 percent less prestressing force than the AAHSTO girders. Modified Bulb-T's are recommended for use as national standards. Ways of implementing the proposed new optimized sections are suggested. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/950/950v2-010.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PROPOSED+REPLACEMENT+OF+AASHTO+GIRDERS+WITH+NEW+OPTIMIZED+SECTIONS&author=B.+Rabbat&author=H.+Russell&publication_year=1984
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/3090036593
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record Number 950, Volume 2, Second Bridge Engineering Conference, conducted by the Transportation Research Board and the Federal Highway Administration, September 24-26, 1984. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Concrete Bridges. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Rabbat, Basile G
  • Russell, Henry G
• Conference:
  • Bridge Engineering Conference, 2nd, 1984, Washington, DC, USA
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 85-92
• Monograph Title: Second bridge engineering conference. volumes 1 and 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 950
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Design standards; Girders; I beams; Pretensioning; T beams
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390817
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03090036593
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM