Modification of Existing Prestressed Girder Cross Sections for the Optimal Structural Use of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
Project Information
Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-06-0039
Project Abstract:
The first stage of implementing Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) into the bridge inventory in many States will likely be to use it in place of High Performance Concrete (HPC) in standard prestressed I-girders. These standard I-girders were designed for use with certain strengths of concrete, and are not structurally optimized for the high compressive strength and usable tensile capacity of UHPC. Research to date has demonstrated that the material characteristics of UHPC are well suited for use in precast bridge components, but that existing component cross sections cast with UHPC exhibit excessively large reserve capacities. The leap between common prestressed girder designs and designs that are fully optimized for the properties of UHPC may be too great for many State Departments of Transportation.
As such, an intermediate step wherein the bridge owner can become acquainted with the advanced properties of UHPC while still utilizing a familiar structural shape is necessary. This intermediate step also is valuable to other links in the supply chain (i.e., designer, fabricator, erector) as it will allow this traditionally risk averse industry to experience an advancement in the state-of-the-art without incurring what they perceive to be excessive risks. Therefore, the purpose of this research program is to investigate existing bridge girder cross sections to determine which are best suited to modification for use with UHPC. This analytical study considers factors including structural efficiency in flexure, structural efficiency in shear, pre- and posttensioning, popularity of the underlying structural form, and ease of existing girder shape modification to achieve desired form.
Research HUB ID:
2410
Project Status:
Completed
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$0.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
No
FHWA Program Area:
- Infrastructure
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
- FY 2002-2022 / Infrastructure / Structures
AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan
Contact Information
First Name:
Benjamin
Middle Initial:
A
Last Name:
Graybeal
Phone Number:
(202) 493-3122
Email Address:
Team:
Bridge Engineering Team
Office:
Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Office Code:
HRDI-40
Management Organizations
Sponsor Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Contact Role:
Project Lead
Contact:
Managing Organization
Organization Role:
Project Managing Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Contact Role:
Project Contact
Contact:
Performing Organization
Organization Role:
Performing Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Contact Role:
Project Contact
Contact: