Development of Guidelines for the Use of Intermediate Diaphragms on Precast Concrete Beam Superstructures

This study examines the need for intermediate diaphragms (IDs) and lateral support on low skew, low curvature prestressed concrete (PC) bridges while in-service and under construction. AASHTO beam, bulb tee, and spread box beam sections across a variety of span lengths and girder spacings were considered. To examine the in-service effect of IDs on vehicular live load distribution, validated finite element analysis (FEA) models were used to determine the change in distribution factor (DF) on a set of hypothetical PC girder bridges. During construction, the need for beam lateral bracing upon girder seating until deck cure was analyzed, considering the failure modes of girder rollover and lateral torsional buckling (LTB). Girder rollover was modeled with an analytical approach calibrated to numerical (FEA) results, while LTB was modeled with a validated, material and geometrically nonlinear FEA procedure. It was found that IDs provide little change in DF for typical structures, while elastomeric bearing pad properties and beam length significantly affected beam stability during bridge construction. Lateral bracing guidelines were developed as a function of section type, span, girder position, overhang length, and bearing pad width to provide stability during construction.

• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60909
• Corporate Authors:

  Wayne State University

  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  5050 Anthony Wayne Drive
  Detroit, MI  United States  48202

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  Office of Research Administration
  8885 Ricks Road
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  U.S. Department of Transportation

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Eamon, Christopher D
  • Menkulasi, Fatmir
  • Bhaktha, Bellikoth V
  • Quagliata, Mario
• Publication Date: 2021-8-27

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 169p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Buckling; Diaphragm walls; Finite element method; Instability; Prestressed concrete bridges
• Geographic Terms: Michigan
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01786000
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SPR-1702, OR19-003
• Contract Numbers: 2019-0314 Z1
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 26 2021 2:25PM