COMPOSITE ACTION IN A STEEL GIRDER SPAN WITH PRECAST DECK PANELS: THE I-81 BRIDGE OVER THE NEW RIVER IN RADFORD, VIRGINIA

Two parallel bridges carry I-81 north and south over the New River in southwest Virginia, near the city of Radford. The bridges are identical in design and have been in place since 1985. In recent years, a number of maintenance issues have been reported, primarily related to cracking of the cast-in-place topping over partial-depth precast deck panels. A study was undertaken to determine the influence of the observed deterioration on the structural capacity of the affected bridge spans. The analysis indicated that the full potential of the composite slab-girder system is no longer being realized. Continued deterioration of the deck is likely, especially given the frequency of heavy truck traffic on this structure and the inherent vibration. It appears that the presence of precast cast-in-place deck sections has reduced the overall stiffness of the deck as compared to the original design. The movement, in conjunction with a poor deck panel support detail, is likely to cause a continual maintenance problem, as additional precast panels begin to move and fracture of the cast-in-place topping occurs. As a potential mitigation option, replacement of the fiber bolster material between the top flange of the girders and the precast panels with more rigid steel shims and/or concrete is recommended to increase the bearing surface of the panels, reduce vertical displacement of panel edges, and minimize dynamic impact at the joints.

• Record URL:
  http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/04-r4.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/19612
• 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:
  • Brown, M C
  • Gomez, J P
  • Cousins, T E
  • Barton, F W
• Publication Date: 2003-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Cast in place concrete; Cracking; Deterioration; Highway bridges; Interstate highways; Precast concrete; Truck traffic; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Composite action; Slab-girder system
• Geographic Terms: Radford (Virginia)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00969801
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VTRC 04-R4,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: 21724
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 5 2004 12:00AM