REHABILITATION OF STEEL DECK GIRDER BRIDGES

Two 12-span bridges composed of two steel plate girders with a floor system were constructed in 1960. These were the first all-welded girder bridges built in Wisconsin. Plans were prepared to widen these bridges to carry a third lane and replace the existing deck. Several flaws that required repair were discovered in the welded girders. Before construction a transverse crack in the flange was found under the gusset plate used to attach the lower lateral bracing. The gusset plate was welded longitudinally and transversely to the bottom flange. During construction several other flaws were found: cracks under tack welds on the flanges, fatigue cracks in floor-beam webs, web butt welds with incomplete fusion, poor flange-to-web fillet welds, and improper termination of welded covered plates. These flaws were repaired to extend the life expectancy of the bridge by (a) removing the welded gusset plates, grinding the flange smooth, and bolting on new gusset plates; (b) removing the tack-welded piece and grinding out the cracks in the flanges; (c) removing the s stringer-to-floor beam welded web connections, reattaching stop holes at the flange-web intersections in the tension area and providing bolted splice plates as required; (e) grinding the poor web-to-flange fillet welds into a smooth transition; and (f) placing bolted splice plates across the ends of the welded cover plates. The total rehabilitation was analyzed and found to be cost-effective.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/950/950v1-029.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=REHABILITATION+OF+STEEL+DECK+GIRDER+BRIDGES&author=S.+Woods&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 1, 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 Structures Maintenance. 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:
  • Woods, Stanley W
• Conference:
  • Bridge Engineering Conference, 2nd, 1984, Washington, DC, USA
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: pp 188-192
• 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: Bridge decks; Cost effectiveness; Cracking; Driver rehabilitation; Flanges; Girder bridges; Gusset plates; Life span; Pavement widening; Plate girders; Steel; Webbing; Weldments
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation; Widening
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Society; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390866
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03090036593
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM