Finite Element Analysis and Long-Term Monitoring of a Highway Overpass Bridge with Newly Constructed Link Slabs and Modified Bearings

Abstract

Joint failure, which causes leakage in bridge decks as well as deterioration in girders and substructures, is one of the most common concerns in highway bridges. Therefore, link slabs have been considered as a preventive maintenance method in eliminating these joints. This paper presents a pilot project that constructed the link slab system in Maryland, U.S., with modified bearings to improve its durability and reduce maintenance costs. Compared with the traditional bearing replacement design for the link slab systems, this project proposes a more economical method by removing the anchor bolts and restricting sliding plates of the fixed bearings at both abutments to match the designed boundary conditions while avoiding the high cost of jacking girders and replacing bearings. Furthermore, numerical analysis and structural health monitoring were conducted and validated to investigate the effectiveness of the link slab design with various high performance concrete materials. After the one-year monitoring period, the link slab system is verified to be in fully functional condition and the bearing modification design is verified to be effective.