EFFECT OF GIRDER SPACING ON BRIDGE DECK RESPONSE

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the use of the commercial finite element code ABAQUS for analysis of reinforced concrete bridge decks and to employ this analysis package to determine the effect of girder spacing on deck response. A field test was conducted on the Willis River Bridge, and the response, including displacements and strains on the girders and deck surface, was measured. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed to predict the overall structural response of the bridge. Model accuracy was verified with the response data acquired from the field test. Girder displacements, longitudinal and transverse deck strains, longitudinal deck strains, and natural frequencies of vibration were predicted with reasonable accuracy. The techniques used in the validated finite element model of the Willis River Bridge were implemented to model the Route 257 Bridge over Route 81 in Rockingham County, Virginia. This new model was used in a parameter study to investigate the effects of girder spacing on the stress that develops in the concrete deck. Future phases of this project will include studies that investigate the effect of other parameters such as skew and the need for top reinforcement in reinforced concrete bridges.

• Record URL:
  http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/01-r6.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903

  Virginia Department of Transportation

  Office of Public Affairs, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Buckler, James G
  • Barton, Furman W
  • Gomez, Jose P
  • Massarelli, Peter J
  • McKeel Jr, Wallace T
• Publication Date: 2000-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 23 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Bridge decks; Field tests; Finite element method; Girders; Mathematical models; Mathematical prediction; Reinforced concrete; Spacing; Strain (Mechanics); Stresses; Structural analysis; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Displacements (Structural)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00806436
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VTRC 01-R6,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: 0021704
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 23 2001 12:00AM