Investigation of Load-Path Redundancy in Aging Steel Bridges

The key objectives of this work were: (1) to assess and quantify the influence of corrosion caused by deicing-agents on the ability of reinforced-concrete bridge decks to serve as a transverse load distribution and redistribution mechanism in steel girder bridges; (2) to formulate a rating procedure to quantify the system capacity of bridges that includes the effects of reinforced-concrete deck deterioration; and (3) to explore the correlations deck condition ratings and level of deterioration and how this may affect predicted system capacities. The primary components of the scope of work began with reviewing the literature to quantify the effect of deicing agents on the structural performance of reinforced concrete members. A finite element methodology was then formulated and calibrated to simulate this effect, first in analytical reproductions of the experimental specimens in the literature and then through FEA models of three existing steel I-girder bridges that had been calibrated to field data in prior work. Theoretical calculations supported by the data generated from these models and data from bridge inspection reports was used to accomplish the second and third objectives.

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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Delaware Center for Transportation

  University of Delaware
  Newark, DE  United States  19716

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • McConnell, Jennifer
  • Wurst, Diane
  • McCarthy, Gillian
  • Sparacino, Matthew
• Publication Date: 2013-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 231p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aging (Materials); Bridge decks; Corrosion; Deicing chemicals; Deterioration; Finite element method; Girder bridges; Literature reviews; Reinforced concrete; Steel bridges; Structural analysis
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01505700
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 27 2014 11:27AM