Crack Width Prediction for Exterior Portion of Inverted "T" Bent Caps

Unacceptable diagonal cracks frequently occur at the re-entrant corners between the cantilever ledges and the web of inverted "T" bent caps at service load. In order to control the diagonal cracks, an extensive investigation was carried out. The first phase of this research was to predict the diagonal crack widths at the interior portions of the bent caps. A 2-D analytical model, called Compatibility-Aided Strut-and-Tie Model (CASTM), was developed and calibrated by the test results of seven full-size 2-D specimens. The first phase of research was reported in Texas Department of Transportation Research Report 0-1854-3. This report (0-1854-4) describes the second phase of research to predict the diagonal crack widths at the end faces of the exterior portions of bent caps. In this second-phase research, the CASTM was extended to 3-D analysis. Ten 3-D specimens were then tested and the resulting data were used to calibrate the model. Crack control methods for the exterior end faces were recommended.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/digitized/texasarchive/phase2/1854-4-UH.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86108
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Houston

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4800 Calhoun Road
  Houston, TX  United States  77204-4003

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080
• Authors:
  • Zhu, Ronnie Rong-Hua
  • Hsu, Thomas T C
• Publication Date: 2003-4-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 95p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bents; Cracking; Mathematical models; Mathematical prediction
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack control; Crack width; Inverted T beam; Three dimensional analysis
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01000937
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Research Report 0-1854-4
• Contract Numbers: Project 0-1854
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 16 2005 4:49PM