Abstract
Externally Prestressed Segmental (EPS) concrete box sections are widely used in the construction of bridge structures today. EPS concept has become an attractive tool for rehabilitation and strengthening of existing bridges which have insufficient strength and/or excessive deflection and cracking. Problem statement: EPS bridges are affected by combined stresses (bending, shear, normal, and torsional) at the joint interface between the segments. However, very limited researchers studied this type of bridges under combined stresses. Approach: This paper presented an experimental investigation of the structural behaviour of EPS bridge with shear key under torsion. Four beams were tested, each containing three segments that were presetressed using two external tendons. A parametric study of two different external tendon layouts as well as different levels of torsional force applied by different load eccentricities was conducted. Results: The effect of torsion was evaluated in terms of vertical deflections, concrete and tendon strains, failure loads and failure mechanisms. It was concluded that torsion has a significant effect in the structural behaviour of external prestressed segmental box girder beams. Torsion not only alters failure load of the beam but also changes the type of failure mechanism. It was also investigated that harp tendon layout results in better structural behaviour in term of deflection and tendon strain as compared with the straight tendon. Recommendations: It recommended including the effect of joint (flat and shear key) type as well as the effect of tendon layout under torsion to obtain comprehensive behavior of EPS bridge.
Highlights
Prestressed Segmental (EPS) concrete box bridges have been successfully designed and constructed all over the world
Unbounded external prestressing tendons have been used for this type of construction
External prestressing without bond has been used in bridge construction for many years
Summary
Prestressed Segmental (EPS) concrete box bridges have been successfully designed and constructed all over the world. For the majority of these bridges, the prestressing tendons were fully bonded. Unbounded external prestressing tendons have been used for this type of construction. External prestressing without bond has been used in bridge construction for many years. It is a useful method for the rehabilitation and strengthening of existing structures. The construction of segmental bridges with unbounded tendons offers some advantages such as: 1) Substantial economical savings due to the possibility of weather-independent segment production and a shorter construction period; 2) Simple element assembly at job site; 3) Replaceability of tendons and 4) Optimal corrosion protection of the prestressing tendons and improved fatigue behaviour
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