Effects of Overheight Truck Impacts on Intermediate Diaphragms in Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders

This paper studies the capacity of prestressed concrete bridge girders to withstand overheight truck impacts. A numerical bridge model is validated with the existing experimental data in the literature. The elastic-plastic modeling of concrete damage and quasi-static impact simulation of the bridge are then considered. Parametric studies are conducted with respect to the spacing and depth of intermediate diaphragms as well as girder types from which the role of intermediate diaphragms in protection and enhancement of prestressed concrete bridge girders from truck impacts is obtained. From simulation results, it is concluded that the optimum spacing of 25.0 ft for intermediate diaphragms is consistent with results reported from prior studies. The depth of intermediate diaphragms should be extended to the top edge of the bottom flange of girders to provide maximum impact protection. Wide flanges in girders increase bending stiffness, reduce horizontal deflection, and correspondingly decrease damage areas. However, deep webs in girders introduce a large rotation with respect to the deck, and thus increase deflection under the truck impact. Design guidelines for typical parameters for intermediate diaphragms in prestressed concrete bridges are provided.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/12789822
• Authors:
  • Yang, Mijia
  • Qiao, Pizhong
  • McLean, David I
  • Khaleghi, Bijan
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 58-78
• Serial:
  • PCI Journal
  • Volume: 55
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
  • ISSN: 0887-9672
  • Serial URL: http://www.pci.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge members; Concrete structures; Crashes; Diaphragms (Engineering); Girders; Highway safety; Prestressed concrete bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Overheight trucks; Vertical clearance
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01152126
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 16 2010 6:12AM