UHPC connection for SDCL steel bridge system

Simple for dead load and continuous for live load (SDCL) steel bridge system has been investigated thoroughly for non-seismic and seismic areas. SDCL bridge system provides a solution for advanced bridge construction (ABC) application of steel bridges. The current detail uses a cast-in-place concrete diaphragm over the middle pier to connect the steel girder and make them continuous. Application of an SDCL steel bridge system has many advantages including eliminating field splices, eliminating expansion joints, reduced negative moment over the pier, and minimized traffic interruption. Further, encasing the ends of the girder in concrete protects the girder ends and results in enhanced service life and lower inspection and maintenance costs if compared to conventional continuous steel bridge systems. The current system has shortcomings that can be addressed by taking advantage of new advanced materials such as ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). By using the current SDCL detail, although the resulting closure time for the facility carried by structure is reduced if compared to the conventional methods of steel construction, but it might exceed the weekend closure time limits that is usually available for high traffic roadways. The reason is that normal strength concrete usually reaches its minimum required strength in more than a couple of days. Another issue with the current SDCL detail is the tight tolerances for steel fabrication. As the steel girders are placed on adjacent spans in this system the end detail of the girders (steel blocks) should be touching to prevent concrete diaphragm from crushing. UHPC has been recently widely considered for ABC applications due to its superior mechanical properties, durability and also high early strength as compared to normal concrete. However, this material is more expensive than conventional concrete so it should be utilized strategically. In this research, the use of UHPC as diaphragm material is proposed that results in decreasing construction time for the facility carried, increasing the tolerances and simplifying the cast-in-place detail of the concrete diaphragm.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $10000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747121

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Florida International University, Miami

  University Park, Room P.C. 539
  Miami, FL  United States  33199-0000

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Principal Investigators:

  Azizinamini, Atorod

• Start Date: 20200401
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Cast in place concrete; Diaphragms (Engineering); Steel bridges; Ultra high performance concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01736232
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747121
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 16 2020 8:58AM