Laboratory Tests Of Two Span Prestressed Reinforced Concrete Bridge Girders Constructed From Three Long Segments

Tests of two prestressed concrete composite bridge girders which were continuous over two spans are reported. Both were I-section girders with cast-in-place decks, and had spans of about 37 ft (11 m), and were approximately 1/3 scale models of structures spanning 125 ft (38 m). Each girder was constructed from three segments which were joined end-to-end by cast-in-place concrete splices. Modell was post-tensioned after erection of the girders and casting of the deck and splice concrete. The two end segments, each supported on the final abutments and on temporary supports located about 1/3 of the span from the central pier, were pretensioned for their dead loads plus the deck concrete. The central segment, which was supported on the central pier of the structure plus the two temporary supports was precast reinforced concrete, plus a small amount of pre= tensioned reinforcement. Model 2 was externally similar, but was not post-tensioned. The segments were pretensioned for the final moments, and were joined by splicing reinforcing bars which extended into the splice region. Both structures were subjected to a series of loadings to the service load, design ultimate, and high over-load levels. Both had capacities which were significantly higher than the design ultimate values. The capacities were generally predictable on the basis of flexural strength calculations, and shear did not cause major problems. Joint details in Modell lead to difficulties in two tests, and this aspect of the design is discussed in detail.