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Virginia Tech

Construction and Behavior of Precast Bridge Deck Panel Systems

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A bridge with precast bridge deck panels was built at the Virginia Tech Structures Laboratory to examine constructability issues, creep and shrinkage behavior, and strength and fatigue performance of transverse joints, different types of shear connectors, and different shear pocket spacings. The bridge consisted of two AASHTO type II girders, 40 ft long and simply supported, and five precast bridge deck panels. Two of the transverse joints were epoxied male-female joints and the other two transverse joints were grouted female-female joints. Two different pocket spacings were studied: 4 ft pocket spacing and 2 ft pocket spacing. Two different shear connector types were studied: hooked reinforcing bars and a new shear stud detail that can be used with concrete girders. The construction process was well documented. The change in strain in the girders and deck was examined and compared to a finite element model to examine the effects of differential creep and shrinkage. After the finite element model verification study, the model was used to predict the long term stresses in the deck and determine if the initial level of post-tensioning was adequate to keep the transverse joints in compression throughout the estimated service life of the bridge. Cyclic loading tests and shear and flexural strength tests were performed to examine performance of the different pocket spacings, shear connector types and transverse joint configurations. A finite element study examined the accuracy of the AASHTO LRFD shear friction equation for the design of the horizontal shear connectors. The initial level of post-tensioning in the bridge was adequate to keep the transverse joints in compression throughout the service life of the bridge. Both types of pocket spacings and shear connectors performed exceptionally well. The AASHTO LRFD shear friction equation was shown to be applicable to deck panel systems and was conservative for determining the number of shear connectors required in each pocket. A recommended design and detailing procedure was provided for the shear connectors and shear pockets.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2007

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Sullivan, Sean Robert
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Roberts-Wollmann, Carin L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Thangjitham, Surot
  • Sotelino, Elisa D.
  • Rojiani, Kamal B.
  • Davis, Rodney T.
  • Cousins, Thomas E.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-05012007-174012
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/27479

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Sullivan, Sean Robert. Construction and Behavior of Precast Bridge Deck Panel Systems. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/27479