Deck Bulb Tee Girder Bridge Problems and Applications

Abstract

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) has led to the widespread adoption of Deck Bulb Tee girder (DBT) in bridge engineering. Nevertheless, the use of DBT girders in large-span and intercontinental bridges remains restricted due to structural design limitations and material constraints, resulting in joint issues and affecting structural performance. Therefore, this paper aims to summarize typical technical improvements in the structural design of DBT girders, including addressing longitudinal joints issue and exploring the use of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) for bridge applications. The results indicate that application of UHPC effectively addresses several technical challenges associated with DBT girders, presenting both new opportunities and challenges.

Keywords

Accelerated Bridge Construction / connection details / existing bridge replacement / UHPC overlay

References

[1] Stanton, J.F.; Mattock, A.H. Load Distribution and Connection Design for Precast Stemmed Multibeam Bridge Superstructures; No. 287; Transportation Research Board, National Research Council: Washington, D.C, 1986.

[2] Li, L.; Ma, R.; Griffey, R.E.; Oesterle, R.G. Improved Longitudinal Joint Details in Decked Bulb Tees for Accelerated Bridge Construction: Concept Development. Journal of Bridge Engineering 2010, 15, 327-336, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000067.

[3] 318, A.C. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-05) and Commentary (ACI 318R-05). American Concrete Institute 2004.

[4] Lewis, S. Experimental Investigation of Precast Bridge Deck Joints with U-bar and Headed Bar Joint Details. University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2009.

[5] Ma, Z.J.; Lewis, S.; Cao, Q.; He, Z.; Burdette, E.G.; French, C.E.W. Transverse Joint Details with Tight Bend Diameter U-Bars for Accelerated Bridge Construction. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2012.

[6] Ma, Z.J.; Cao, Q.; Chapman, C.E.; Burdette, E.G.; French, C.E.W. Longitudinal Joint Details with Tight Bend Diameter U-Bars. Aci Structural Journal 2012, 109, 815-824.

[7] Li, L.G.; He, Z.Q.; Ma, Z.J.; Yao, L.K. Development of Strut-and-Tie Model and Design Guidelines for Improved Joint in Decked Bulb-Tee Bridge. Struct Eng Mech 2013, 48, 221-239, doi: 10.12989/sem.2013.48.2.221.

[8] Alkhalaf, A.M. Experimental Investigation of Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Precast Decked Bulb-Tee Bridge Girder Connections. M.S., University of Colorado at Denver, United States - Colorado, 2018.

[9] Varga, I.D.l.; Haber, Z.B.; Graybeal, B.A. Bond of Field-Cast Grouts to Precast Concrete Elements; FHWA-HRT-16-081; Federal Highway Administration: Washington, D.C: FHWA, 2017.

[10] Graybeal, B.A. Design and Construction of Field-Cast UHPC Connections; FHWA-HRT-14-084; Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology: Washington, D.C: FHWA, 2019.

[11] Haber; Zachary, B.; Graybeal; Benjamin, A. Lap-Spliced Rebar Connections with UHPC Closures. Journal of Bridge Engineering 2018.

[12] Peruchini, T.; Stanton, J.; Calvi, P. Longitudinal Joints between Deck Bulb Tee Girders Made with Nonproprietary Ultra-High-Performance Concrete. Journal of Bridge Engineering 2021, 26.

[13] Haroon; Hamid, A.; Steinberg, W.; Walsh, E.; Miller, K.; Shahrooz, R. ; Bahram. Investigating UHPC in Deck Bulb-Tee Girder Connections, Part 1: Analytical Investigation. PCI Journal 2023, 68, 62-78, doi: 10.15554/pcij68.3-04.

[14] Ronald, H.D. Design and Construction Considerations for Continuous Post-Tensioned Bulb-Tee Girder Bridges. PCI Journal 2001, 46, 44-66.

[15] Ebrahimpour, A.; Shokrgozar, A.; Mashal, M. Field Performance of High-Early-Strength Concrete with Polypropylene Fibers as a Cost-Effective Alternative for Longitudinal Connection Between Bridge Deck Bulb-T Girders. J Perform Constr Fac 2023, 37.

[16] Oregon Department of Transportation. Bridge Design and Drafting Manual 2004. Available online: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BRIDGE/docs/BDDM/apr-2007_finals/pdf/section_1-2004_apr07.pdf (accessed on July 29, 2007).

[17] Oregon Department of Transportation. Bridge Standard Details. Available online: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ENGSERVICES/details_bridge.shtml#Prestressed_Beams (accessed on July 29, 2007).

[18] Oregon Department of Transportation. Oregon Standard Specification for Construction. Available online: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/SPECS/2002_std_specs.shtml (accessed on July 29, 2007).

[19] Idaho Transportation Department. Bridge Design LRFD Manual. Available online: http://itd.idaho.gov/bridge/manual/manualcover.htm (accessed on July 29, 2007).

[20] Washington State Department of Transportation. Bridge Design Manual LRFD. Available online: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/fasc/EngineeringPublications/BDMManual/chapter05.pdf (accessed on July 29, 2007).

[21] American Association of State, H.; Transportation, O.; Olympia. AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 4th Edition ed.; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): Washington, DC, 2007.

[22] Haber, Z.B.; Graybeal, B.A. Field Testing of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Overlay; FHWA-HRT-17-096; Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology: 2017.

[23] Haber, Z.B.; Muñoz, J.F.; Varga, I.D.l.; Graybeal, B.A. Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlays; FHWA-HRT-17-097; Federal Highway Administration: 2018.