precast concrete girder system based on the results of this research, with the condition that structural depth

be no greater than that of the steel-plate girder alternate design. The I-80 bridge has two 180 ft (55 m) spans and a 48-degree skew. The high-performance, haunched steel plate girder varied in web depth from 53 in. (1350 mm) to 77 in. (1960 mm), with girder spacing of 8 ft (2.4 m). An additional plate thickness of 2 in. (50 mm) was considered for the top and bottom flanges. As a consequence of the steel design dimensions, a NU 1350 (53.15-in.-deep [1350 mm]) I-girder was chosen with a haunch-depth maximum of 24 in. (610 mm), for a total depth at the pier of 77.15 in. (1960 mm). The concrete girder spacing was kept the same as that of the steel option. Upon discussions with Nebraska precasters and local contractors, it was determined that the most efficient bridge system was to use 170-ft-long (52 m) precast concrete girders with a 20-ftlong (6 m) closure pour over the pier and a cast-in-place concrete haunch (Fig. 22). Advantages of this system are direct interface shear transfer and temporary supports that are much closer to the pier and away from interstate traffic. Disadvantages of this selection are field forming and the relative difficulty in attaining high-strength concrete in the field. The girders would be connected with high-strength threaded rods to render the girders continuous for deck weight. Design of the precast concrete bridge alternative was performed, and it was found that the dimensions were adequate and that the required concrete strength and prestressing were within the normal range of values in current practice. An application of a cast-in-place concrete haunch has already been executed in Nebraska on the Clarks Bridge.29 Figure 23 is a view of the completed bridge, which recently received a PCI Design Award for Best Bridge with Spans Greater than 135 ft. The haunch system being proposed in this research would have a different appearance than the one used on the Clarks Bridge. The proposed precast concrete haunch would be longer and deeper and would provide for a smooth transition in cross section.
SeptemberOctober 2007

Fig. 21. A haunch block rigged for transport.

20 ft 53.15" 24.00" 120 ft

180 ft
Sectional elevation

180 ft

1.25" 36" lubricated coil threaded rod with welded hex nuts to be turned before installing the pier segment such that min. extension below soffit = 8 in.

Block out

Vent tube Roughend surface

Concrete 53.15" fill tube

Varies

38.4" Cross section near pier

Depiction of the bridge at the pier

Fig. 22. The section elevation, cross section near the pier, and a depiction of the bridge at the pier of the value-engineered proposal for the Interstate 80 overpass at the 250th Street Bridge in Nebraska. Note: = in.; 1 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3048 mm.

CONcLUsiONs
Connecting a precast concrete haunch block to a standard precast concrete I-girder through

a cast-in-place concrete pocket to form a deep pier segment can extend the spans of precast, prestressed concrete bridges to 350 ft (107 m) while meeting
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