Development of a Structurally Optimized Ultra-High Performance Decked Bridge Girder

The characteristics of UHPC are particularly well suited to the structural and environmental challenges that are placed on every highway bridge. Specifically, the compressive strength allows for high levels of prestressing and the tensile strengths allow for reduction or elimination of mild (i.e., shear, shrinkage, temperature) steel reinforcement. The durability allows for long-lasting concrete structures which is especially important for bridge decks. The FHWA's research into optimal uses of UHPC in bridges is focusing on methods of economically and efficiently using this concrete to produce long-lasting, very durable bridges that can be fabricated and constructed quickly. A first generation superstructure/deck combination has been developed and tested. In general terms, the structural member is a prestressed girder with a bulbed double-tee cross-section that was designed to meet the structural and environmental loading demands of a standard highway bridge while also significantly reducing erection and overall construction times. The knowledge gained from the fabrication and testing of the first generation girder has led to the design of a second generation solution. Physical testing of the structural behavior of this next generation solution is pending.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
  6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Project Managers:

  Graybeal, Benjamin

• Performing Organizations:

  Professional Services Industries, Incorporated

  13800 Coopermine Road
  Herndon, Virginia  United States  20171

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
  6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Principal Investigators:

  Chen, Linfeng

  Graybeal, Benjamin

• Start Date: 20030000
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20100000
• Source Data: RiP Project 15272

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridge superstructures; Compressive strength; Durability; Girder bridges; Highway bridges; Prestressing; Research projects; Shrinkage; Tensile strength
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01462770
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Files: RiP, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 2:10PM