Theoretical Calculation and Experimental Research of Shrinkage of High Strength Concrete an High-Speed Railway Bridges

Abstract

Concrete bridges on high-speed railway are usually constructed with high strength concrete. Because of shrinkage of concrete, large stress and deformation always appear in construction and operation process of bridges. It even leads to concrete cracking. So as to guarantee the safety of structures and smoothness of tracks, correct calculation of concrete shrinkage effect must be done. Concrete shrinkage effect is a very complex non-stress strain problem which is influenced by numerous factors and difficult to calculate. According to the factors considered from different emphasis aspects, a variety of patterns or specifications are formed based on different domestic and foreign models of concrete shrinkage calculation. Combined with the construction of Jiangshan Harbor Bridge (75+2×135+75) m prestressed concrete continuous beam bridge on Hangzhou-Changsha high-speed railway, concrete shrinkage field tests and measurements were carried in which the same mix of high strength concrete as that of the bridge was used. The results of tests and measurements were compared with results of different theoretical models. The effects of high strength concrete shrinkage on high-speed railway concrete bridges were studied and some useful conclusions were obtained.