Abstract
As Ontario bridge infrastructure enters the era of maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement, prefabricated bridge systems will certainly have many advantages as compared to the conventional systems. Prefabricated systems can be quickly assembled and the traffic can be opened in a very short period of time, minimizing the lane closure time, reducing the cost and design time, and minimizing forming and labour work. The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code specifies simplified design method for slab-on-girder bridges in the form of moment and shear distribution factors. This thesis presents a parametric study, using the finite-element method, on a series of precast Wide-Flange CPCI girder bridges to examine the applicability of the CHBDC load distribution factors to this prefabricated bridge system. The parameters considered in this study include span length, number of lanes, number of girders, live load conditions, presence of intermediate diaphragms, and type of connections between individual girders. This study revealed that CHBDC load distribution factors generally overestimate the structural response of such bridges. As a result, a refined set of load distribution factor equations were developed.
Highlights
In bridge design it is necessary to obtain an appropriate geometric layout for the structure so that it can safely and economically carry the loads imposed on it
For Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code (OHBDC), the simplified method o f analysis for the live load is based on considering the bridge as a rectangular orthotropic plate that was supported at two opposite ends on unyielding line supports which were continuous across the width o f the plate and did not impose moment restraint
The key parameters considered in this study included spacing of the lateral connection between girders in the longitudinal direction o f the bridge (s'), span length (L), number o f longitudinal girders (N), girder spacing (S), number o f intermediate diaphragms (Nj), number o f design lanes (n), and truck loading conditions
Summary
In bridge design it is necessary to obtain an appropriate geometric layout for the structure so that it can safely and economically carry the loads imposed on it. Precast prestressed bridges allow for rapid construction, less disturbance to the traffic flow and significant improvement in the quality and the durability o f the structure with less environmental effect. Precast prestressed concrete bridges have become increasingly popular. Two-third of the bridges, with span length from 18 to 36 m, are constructed using prestressed girders [41]. According to the National Bridge Inventory during the 1990s in the United States of America, it was observed that the precast prestressed concrete 1-girder systems form about 50 percent o f the prestressed concrete bridges built in the last 40 years [41]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
