Evaluation of Cracks in a Spliced,Prestressed Concrete I-Girder Bridge

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation reported in this paper was to identify the main causes of cracking that occurred in the Cross Florida Barge Canal Bridge, a three-span, continuous, spliced I-girder bridge that comprises spans of 77.7–86.9–77.7 m (255–285–225 ft) located in Citrus County, Florida. This paper briefly describes the bridge and the cracking. It then presents analytical models. Analytical results showed that the maximum vertical tensile force within a girder end zone from longitudinal prestressing strands was nearly 8% of the total prestressing force. The force was significantly higher than that prescribed by AASHTO specifications to determine the quantity of vertical reinforcement required at the ends of pretensioned members. Finally, the paper discusses some recommendations for end zone detailing. The results could help bridge designers provide better bridge detailing and further mitigate cracking in prestressed, spliced I-girders.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Huang

D.Z.

, and Shahawy

Analysis of Tensile Stresses in Transfer Zone of Prestressed Concrete U-Beams. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1928, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2005, pp. 134–141.

AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th ed. AASHTO, Washington, D.C., 2002.

AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design Bridge Design Specifications, 5th ed. AASHTO, Washington, D.C., 2010.

Marshall

W.T.

, and Mattock

A.H.

Control of Horizontal Cracking in the Ends of Prestressed Concrete Girders. Journal of the Prestressed Concrete Institute, Vol. 7, No. 5, 1962, pp. 56–74.

Gilbert

R. I.

Shrinkage, Cracking and Deflection—The Serviceability of Concrete Structures. Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering International, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001, pp. 2–14.