Field Live Load Testing and Advanced Analysis of Concrete T-Beam Bridges to Extend Service Life (1.1)
Concrete T-beam bridges are an important class of structures that has seen limited investigation. These structures are often perceived as quite robust and are in good condition, but possess very low rating factors based on conventional analysis per the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation. Testing of five T-beam bridges conducted in summer 2017 indicated that conventionally calculated rating factors are generally low for T-beam bridges. However, all of the tested bridges were un-skewed, and the effect of skew angle has not been quantified. With support from the MaineDOT, UMaine personnel will instrument and field load test five cast-in-place, simple span, skewed concrete T-beam bridges. The specific structures to be tested were determined jointly by MaineDOT and UMaine engineers prior to the start of this project. The five T-beam bridges tested in summer 2018 will be instrumented with a semi-wireless system using multiple strain gages located to assess both load distribution and flexural capacity. Girders will be instrumented both at mid-span where moments will be at their maximum as well as near the supports to assess any unintended partial fixity. To advance understanding of the response of both skewed and un-skewed T-beam bridges, finite-element analyses of ten T-beam bridges will be conducted. Five of the bridges modeled will be the skewed bridges tested under this project, and the five un-skewed bridges tested in summer 2017 will be modeled. Initial finite-element models will be three-dimensional and linearly elastic, employing solid (brick) elements to discretize the concrete components and embedded elements to represent the reinforcing. The models will incorporate field-measured components including curbs, railings and integral wearing surfaces. Patch loads will be applied that correspond to the measured truck wheel weights. Model boundary conditions will be based on response observed from field testing. Model validation will be based on comparisons between model-predicted and measured strains for all ten structures. The research team will also develop novel, nonlinear finite-element models that permit the accurate inclusion of inherent ductility and a realistic assessment of capacity under the application of factored loads.
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Funding: $95,992
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Contract Numbers:
69A3551847101
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Sponsor Organizations:
Maine Department of Transportation
Research Division, Child Street, 16 State House Station
Augusta, ME United States 04333-0016Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Maine Department of Transportation
Research Division, Child Street, 16 State House Station
Augusta, ME United States 04333-0016Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
University of Maine
Orono, ME United States 04469University of Maine, Orono
103 Boardman Hall
Orono, ME United States 04469 -
Project Managers:
Dunn, Denise
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Performing Organizations:
Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
University of Maine
Orono, ME United States 04469 -
Principal Investigators:
Davids, Bill
- Start Date: 20190605
- Expected Completion Date: 20191231
- Actual Completion Date: 20191231
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Concrete bridges; Ductility; Field tests; Finite element method; Live loads; Monitoring; Service life; Skew bridges; T beams
- Geographic Terms: Maine
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01698483
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
- Contract Numbers: 69A3551847101
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Mar 4 2019 1:23PM