Identification of Causes and Solution Strategies for Deck Cracking in Jointless Bridges

Identification of Causes and Solution Strategies for Deck Cracking in Jointless Bridges PDF Author: David J. Stringer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 135

Get Book Here

Book Description
Bridges have traditionally relied on a system of expansion joints and flexible bearings to accommodate movements due to temperature, creep, and shrinkage loading. Joints and elements in their vicinity experience a high amount of degradation; thus modern design approaches are advocating their removal, with movement accommodated through flexible piles and abutment walls. While jointless bridges have been performing well, many of them suffer from widespread early-age transverse deck cracking. Restrained concrete shrinkage was identified as the most dominant source for the noted damage based on a literature review and a field investigation. Deck cracking is caused by the build-up of tensile forces resulting from the increased rigidity in jointless bridges. Experimentally calibrated finite-element models were used to predict deck cracking in two bridge systems under shrinkage-induced loading and a parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of design parameters on restrained shrinkage cracking. Simulation results confirmed that the increase of system restraint increases the tendency for cracking. Models for steel and concrete beam bridges showed that both systems were equally susceptible to deck cracking due to restrained concrete shrinkage. The lowest amount of cracking was predicted for bridges with non-integral abutments, higher shear connector spacing, and a low-shrinkage concrete mix. Changing the deck reinforcement configuration had little effect on the predicted damage patterns. Use of a low-shrinkage concrete mix had the greatest impact on minimizing deck cracking. Overall, the computational simulations indicated that restrained shrinkage cracking in the decks of jointless bridges is unavoidable, but that modifying design details and improving concrete mixture designs can help reduce its extent.

Identification of Causes and Solution Strategies for Deck Cracking in Jointless Bridges

Identification of Causes and Solution Strategies for Deck Cracking in Jointless Bridges PDF Author: David J. Stringer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 135

Get Book Here

Book Description
Bridges have traditionally relied on a system of expansion joints and flexible bearings to accommodate movements due to temperature, creep, and shrinkage loading. Joints and elements in their vicinity experience a high amount of degradation; thus modern design approaches are advocating their removal, with movement accommodated through flexible piles and abutment walls. While jointless bridges have been performing well, many of them suffer from widespread early-age transverse deck cracking. Restrained concrete shrinkage was identified as the most dominant source for the noted damage based on a literature review and a field investigation. Deck cracking is caused by the build-up of tensile forces resulting from the increased rigidity in jointless bridges. Experimentally calibrated finite-element models were used to predict deck cracking in two bridge systems under shrinkage-induced loading and a parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of design parameters on restrained shrinkage cracking. Simulation results confirmed that the increase of system restraint increases the tendency for cracking. Models for steel and concrete beam bridges showed that both systems were equally susceptible to deck cracking due to restrained concrete shrinkage. The lowest amount of cracking was predicted for bridges with non-integral abutments, higher shear connector spacing, and a low-shrinkage concrete mix. Changing the deck reinforcement configuration had little effect on the predicted damage patterns. Use of a low-shrinkage concrete mix had the greatest impact on minimizing deck cracking. Overall, the computational simulations indicated that restrained shrinkage cracking in the decks of jointless bridges is unavoidable, but that modifying design details and improving concrete mixture designs can help reduce its extent.

Control and Repair of Bridge Deck Cracking

Control and Repair of Bridge Deck Cracking PDF Author: Robert J. Frosch
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781622600267
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description


Mitigation Strategies for Early-age Shrinkage Cracking in Bridge Decks

Mitigation Strategies for Early-age Shrinkage Cracking in Bridge Decks PDF Author: Pizhong Qiao (Civil engineer)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Early-age shrinkage cracking has been observed in many concrete bridge decks in Washington State and elsewhere around the U.S. The cracking increases the effects of freeze-thaw damage, spalling, and corrosion of steel reinforcement, thus resulting in premature deterioration and structural deficiency of the bridges. In this study, the main causes of the early-age cracking in the decks are identified, and concrete mix designs as a strategy to prevent or minimize the shrinkage cracking are evaluated. Different sources (eastern and western Washington) and sizes of aggregates are considered, and the effects of paste content, cementitious materials (cement, fly ash, silica fume, slag), and shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) are evaluated. A series of fresh, mechanical and shrinkage property tests were performed for each concrete mix. The outcomes of this study identify optimum concrete mix designs as appropriate mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate early-age shrinkage cracking and thus help minimize shrinkage cracking in the concrete bridge decks, potentially leading to longer service life.

Bridge Deck Cracking Evaluation

Bridge Deck Cracking Evaluation PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Transverse cracking of concrete bridge decks continues to be an issue for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and is considered a common issue reported among many state departments of transportation (DOTs). In the last 25 years with the introduction of high performance concrete (HPC) in bridge decks to lower permeability and with the use of finer ground cements (to increase early age strength gain and construction schedule), the susceptibility of bridge deck cracking has increased. Cracking commonly leads to a reduction in service life and increased maintenance costs, primarily due to accelerated corrosion of reinforcing steel in the deck. Identifying the causes of bridge deck cracking and providing prevention can be complex and challenging, but is very important for maintaining longevity of the bridge deck. To assist MDT with diagnosing and mitigating the causes of transverse cracking of bridge decks, WJE implemented a multi-disciplinary approach including a literature review, field inspections, bridge deck instrumentation, laboratory evaluations, and finite element modeling (FEM). From this research, WJE found the primary causes were related to non-uniform moisture gradients, drying shrinkage, and specific winter curing procedures. Based on these findings, WJE recommended improvements to mixture proportions, construction practices, and design considerations.

Cracking in Bridge Decks

Cracking in Bridge Decks PDF Author: Pui-shum B. Shing
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Concrete
Languages : en
Pages : 182

Get Book Here

Book Description
This report summarizes the findings of a study whose primary objectives are to determine the cause of extensive transverse cracking that has been observed in some existing bridge decks, and to identify the change of material specifications and construction practice that is necessary to reduce the severity of deck cracking. To achieve these goals, recent studies on the cause of bridge deck cracking were reviewed, an experimental study was conducted to compare the shrinkage properties of different concrete mixes, and the current material and design specifications and construction practice adopted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) were reviewed to identify areas that need improvement. A survey was conducted on seven newly constructed bridges to examine the extent of cracking in concrete decks that were constructed with the different mix designs and curing procedure that were currently used by CDOT.

Determination of the Causes of Cracking in a Bridge Deck

Determination of the Causes of Cracking in a Bridge Deck PDF Author: Howard Newlon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description


Mitigation Strategies for Early-age Shrinkage Cracking in Bridge Decks

Mitigation Strategies for Early-age Shrinkage Cracking in Bridge Decks PDF Author: Pizhong Qiao
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 79

Get Book Here

Book Description
Early-age shrinkage cracking has been observed in many concrete bridge decks in Washington State and elsewhere around the U.S. The cracking increases the effects of freeze-thaw damage, spalling, and corrosion of steel reinforcement, thus resulting in premature deterioration and structural deficiency of the bridges. In this study, the main causes of the early-age cracking in the decks are identified, and concrete mix designs as a strategy to prevent or minimize the shrinkage cracking are evaluated. Different sources (eastern and western Washington) and sizes of aggregates are considered, and the effects of paste content, cementitious materials (cement, fly ash, silica fume, slag), and shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) are evaluated. A series of fresh, mechanical and shrinkage property tests were performed for each concrete mix. The outcomes of this study identify optimum concrete mix designs as appropriate mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate early-age shrinkage cracking and thus help minimize shrinkage cracking in the concrete bridge decks, potentially leading to longer service life.

Final Report on Field Demonstration of Durable Link Slabs for Jointless Bridge Decks Based on Strain-hardening Cementitious Composites

Final Report on Field Demonstration of Durable Link Slabs for Jointless Bridge Decks Based on Strain-hardening Cementitious Composites PDF Author: Victor C. Li
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 110

Get Book Here

Book Description
The research is on the development of durable link slabs for jointless bridge decks based on strain-hardening cementitious composite - engineered cementitious composite (ECC). Specifically the superior ductility of ECC was utilized to accommodate bridge deck deformations imposed by girder deflection, concrete shrinkage, and temperature variations, providing a cost-effective solution to a number of deterioration problems associated with bridge deck joints. In this phase 3, research was initiated at developing a solution for early age cracking observed on the Grove Street Bridge ECC link-slab. Systematic investigations (both numerical and experimental) have been conducted on identifying factors which cause early age cracking, replicating early age cracking behavior observed in the field, developing new ECC materials solution to prevent early age cracking, documenting new ECC fresh and hardened properties, verifying new ECC performance by means of the large frame restrained shrinkage test, and revising special provision of ECC link slab. Grove Street Bridge was monitored constantly over the whole project period.

Effects of Design Parameters on Deck Cracking from Restrained Concrete Shrinkage in Jointless Bridges

Effects of Design Parameters on Deck Cracking from Restrained Concrete Shrinkage in Jointless Bridges PDF Author: David Jonathan Stringer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781267552112
Category : Bridges
Languages : en
Pages : 245

Get Book Here

Book Description


Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints

Bridge Bearings and Expansion Joints PDF Author: D J Lee
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1482266997
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 221

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book provides a guide to movement and restraint in bridges for bridge engineers and will enable them to draw up design calculations and specifications for effective installation, and satisfactory service and durability of bearings and joints. It has been fully revised and updated in line with current codes and design practice, modern developme