Prediction of Long-term Deflection of Prestressed Concrete Bridges Considering Various Construction Processes and Girder Section Characteristics

Abstract

Many prediction models for the long-term deflection and camber of prestressed concrete (PSC) bridges are presented in various specifications, manuals, guidelines, and research publications. However, most these models are difficult to use in practice and often contain input factors whose accurate values are difficult to obtain. In contrast, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute provides a simple method of obtaining long-term deflection using coefficients. However, even this simple method does not completely consider various construction processes and girder section characteristics. Therefore, in this study, we take both these factors into account and suggest long-term factors that can predict the deflection or camber of PSC bridges at any time. In order to verify the proposed coefficients, we compared the long-term behavior analysis results of actual bridges obtained using a finite element analysis with the results predicted by the proposed coefficients. As a result, the long-term behavior of PSC bridges with various construction processes and girder shapes can be predicted easily and reliably through the proposed coefficients. Keywords: Prestressed Concrete, Bridges, Long-term Behavior, Deflection, Camber