COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN EXAMPLE FOR PRESTRESSED

CONCRETE (PSC) GIRDER SUPERSTRUCTURE BRIDGE

WITH COMMENTARY
(Task order DTFH61-02-T-63032)


US CUSTOMARY UNITS


Submitted to
THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION





Prepared By
Modjeski and Masters, Inc.










November 2003
Technical Report Documentation Page
1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipients Catalog No.
FHWA NHI - 04-043
4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date
Comprehensive Design Example for Prestressed Concrete (PSC) November 2003
Girder Superstructure Bridge with Commentary 6. Performing Organization Code
(in US Customary Units)
7. Author (s) Wagdy G. Wassef, Ph.D., P.E., Christopher Smith, E.I.T. 8. Performing Organization Report No.
Chad M. Clancy, P.E., Martin J . Smith, P.E.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
Modjeski and Masters, Inc.
P.O.Box 2345 11. Contract or Grant No.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105 DTFH61-02-D-63006
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Federal Highway Administration Final Submission
National Highway Institute (HNHI-10) August 2002 November 2003
4600 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 800 14. Sponsoring Agency Code
Arlington, Virginia 22203
15. Supplementary Notes
Modjeski and Masters Principle Investigator and Project Manager :
Wagdy G. Wassef , Ph.D., P.E.
FHWA Contracting Officers Technical Representative: Thomas K. Saad, P.E.
Team Leader, Technical Review Team: J erry Potter, P.E.
16. Abstract
This document consists of a comprehensive design example of a prestressed concrete girder bridge. The superstructure
consists of two simple spans made continuous for live loads. The substructure consists of integral end abutments and a
multi-column intermediate bent. The document also includes instructional commentary based on the AASHTO-LRFD
Bridge Design Specifications (Second Edition, 1998, including interims for 1999 through 2002). The design example and
commentary are intended to serve as a guide to aid bridge design engineers with the implementation of the AASHTO-
LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. This document is offered in US Customary Units. An accompanying document in
Standard International (SI) Units is offered under report No. FHWA NHI-04-044.

This document includes detailed flowcharts outlining the design steps for all components of the bridge. The flowcharts
are cross-referenced to the relevant specification articles to allow easy navigation of the specifications. Detailed design
computations for the following components are included: concrete deck, prestressed concrete I-girders, elastomeric
bearing, integral abutments and wing walls, multi-column bent and pile and spread footing foundations.

In addition to explaining the design steps of the design example, the comprehensive commentary goes beyond the
specifics of the design example to offer guidance on different situations that may be encountered in other bridges.









17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement
Bridge Design, Prestressed Concrete, Load and Resistance This report is available to the public from the
Factor Design, LRFD, Concrete Deck, Intermediate Bent, National Technical Information Service in
Integral Abutment, Wingwall, Pile Foundation, Spread Springfield, Virginia 22161 and from the
Footings Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price
Unclassified Unclassified 381
Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized



























This page intentionally left blank
































ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to express appreciation to the review teams from the Illinois Department of Transportation,
Minnesota Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation for providing review and
direction on the Technical Review Committee.


The authors would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. J ohn M. Kulicki, President/CEO and Chief
Engineer of Modjeski and Masters, Inc., for his guidance throughout the project.
Table of Contents Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Example


Task Order DTFH61-02-T-63032 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS


Page

1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1-1

2. EXAMPLE BRIDGE ....................................................................................................2-1
2.1 Bridge geometry and materials.............................................................................2-1
2.2 Girder geometry and section properties ...............................................................2-4
2.3 Effective flange width ........................................................................................2-10

3. FLOWCHARTS ............................................................................................................3-1

4. DESIGN OF DECK .......................................................................................................4-1

5. DESIGN OF SUPERSTRUCTURE
5.1 Live load distribution factors ..............................................................................5-1
5.2 Dead load calculations.......................................................................................5-10
5.3 Unfactored and factored load effects.................................................................5-13
5.4 Loss of prestress ...............................................................................................5-27
5.5 Stress in prestressing strands.............................................................................5-36
5.6 Design for flexure
5.6.1 Flexural stress at transfer ......................................................................5-46
5.6.2 Final flexural stress under Service I limit state ....................................5-49
5.6.3 Longitudinal steel at top of girder.........................................................5-61
5.6.4 Flexural resistance at the strength limit state in positive
moment region .....................................................................................5-63
5.6.5 Continuity correction at intermediate support ......................................5-67
5.6.6 Fatigue in prestressed steel ...................................................................5-75
5.6.7 Camber..................................................................................................5-75
5.6.8 Optional live load deflection check ......................................................5-80
5.7 Design for shear ................................................................................................5-82
5.7.1 Critical section for shear near the end support......................................5-84
5.7.2 Shear analysis for a section in the positive moment region..................5-85
5.7.3 Shear analysis for sections in the negative moment region..................5-93
5.7.4 Factored bursting resistance................................................................5-101
5.7.5 Confinement reinforcement ................................................................5-102
5.7.6 Force in the longitudinal reinforcement including the effect of
the applied shear .................................................................................5-104

6. DESIGN OF BEARINGS .............................................................................................6-1


Table of Contents Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Example


Task Order DTFH61-02-T-63032 ii
7. DESIGN OF SUBSTRUCTURE ..................................................................................7-1
7.1. Design of Integral Abutments
7.1.1 Gravity loads...........................................................................................7-6
7.1.2 Pile cap design .....................................................................................7-11
7.1.3 Piles.......................................................................................................7-12
7.1.4 Backwall design....................................................................................7-16
7.1.5 Wingwall design ...................................................................................7-30
7.1.6 Design of approach slab........................................................................7-34
7.1.7 Sleeper slab...........................................................................................7-37
7.2. Design of Intermediate Pier
7.2.1 Substructure loads and application .......................................................7-38
7.2.2 Pier cap design......................................................................................7-51
7.2.3 Column design ......................................................................................7-66
7.2.4 Footing design.......................................................................................7-75

Appendix A - Comparisons of Computer Program Results (QConBridge and Opis)
Section A1 - QConBridge Input.............................................................................................. A1
Section A2 - QConBridge Output ........................................................................................... A3
Section A3 - Opis Input......................................................................................................... A10
Section A4 - Opis Output ...................................................................................................... A47
Section A5 - Comparison Between the Hand Calculations and the Two Computer
Programs.......................................................................................................... A55
Section A6 - Flexural Resistance Sample Calculation from Opis to Compare with
Hand Calculations ........................................................................................... A58

Appendix B - General Guidelines for Refined Analysis of Deck Slabs

Appendix C - Example of Creep and Shrinkage Calculations





Task Order DTFH61-02-T-63032 1-1

Design Step 1 - Introduction Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Example
1. INTRODUCTION


This example is part of a series of design examples sponsored by the Federal Highway
Administration. The design specifications used in these examples is the AASHTO LRFD Bridge design
Specifications. The intent of these examples is to assist bridge designers in interpreting the
specifications, limit differences in interpretation between designers, and to guide the designers through
the specifications to allow easier navigation through different provisions. For this example, the Second
Edition of the AASHTO-LRFD Specifications with Interims up to and including the 2002 Interim is
used.

This design example is intended to provide guidance on the application of the AASHTO-LRFD
Bridge Design Specifications when applied to prestressed concrete superstructure bridges supported on
intermediate multicolumn bents and integral end abutments. The example and commentary are intended
for use by designers who have knowledge of the requirements of AASHTO Standard Specifications for
Highway Bridges or the AASHTO-LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and have designed at least one
prestressed concrete girder bridge, including the bridge substructure. Designers who have not designed
prestressed concrete bridges, but have used either AASHTO Specification to design other types of
bridges may be able to follow the design example, however, they will first need to familiarize themselves
with the basic concepts of prestressed concrete design.

This design example was not intended to follow the design and detailing practices of any
particular agency. Rather, it is intended to follow common practices widely used and to adhere to the
requirements of the specifications. It is expected that some users may find differences between the
procedures used in the design compared to the procedures followed in the jurisdiction they practice in
due to Agency-specific requirements that may deviate from the requirements of the specifications. This
difference should not create the assumption that one procedure is superior to the other.





Task Order DTFH61-02-T-63032 1-2

Design Step 1 - Introduction Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Example
Reference is made to AASHTO-LRFD specifications article numbers throughout the design
example. To distinguish between references to articles of the AASHTO-LRFD specifications and
references to sections of the design example, the references to specification articles are preceded by the
letter S. For example, S5.2 refers to Article 5.2 of AASHTO-LRFD specifications while 5.2 refers to
Section 5.2 of the design example.

Two different forms of fonts are used throughout the example. Regular font is used for
calculations and for text directly related to the example. Italic font is used for text that represents
commentary that is general in nature and is used to explain the intent of some specifications provisions,
explain a different available method that is not used by the example, provide an overview of general
acceptable practices and/or present difference in application between different jurisdictions.


Task Order DTFH61-02-T-63032 2-1

Design Step 2 - Example Bridge Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Example
2. EXAMPLE BRIDGE
2.1 Bridge geometry and materials

Bridge superstructure geometry

Superstructure type: Reinforced concrete deck supported on simple span prestressed girders made
continuous for live load.

Spans: Two spans at 110 ft. each

Width: 55-4 total
52-0 gutter line-to-gutter line (Three lanes 12- 0 wide each, 10 ft. right
shoulder and 6 ft. left shoulder. For superstructure design, the location of the
driving lanes can be anywhere on the structure. For substructure design, the
maximum number of 12 ft. wide lanes, i.e., 4 lanes, is considered)

Railings: Concrete Type F-Parapets, 1- 8 wide at the base

Skew: 20 degrees, valid at each support location

Girder spacing: 9-8

Girder type: AASHTO Type VI Girders, 72 in. deep, 42 in. wide top flange and 28 in. wide
bottom flange (AASHTO 28/72 Girders)

Strand arrangement: Straight strands with some strands debonded near the ends of the girders

Overhang: 3-6 from the centerline of the fascia girder to the end of the overhang

Intermediate diaphragms: For load calculations, one intermediate diaphragm, 10 in. thick, 50 in. deep, is
assumed at the middle of each span.

Figures 2-1 and 2-2 show an elevation and cross-section of the superstructure, respectively. Figure 2-3
through 2-6 show the girder dimensions, strand arrangement, support locations and strand debonding
locations.

Typically, for a specific jurisdiction, a relatively small number of girder sizes are available to select from.
The initial girder size is usually selected based on past experience. Many jurisdictions have a design aid
in the form of a table that determines the most likely girder size for each combination of span length and
girder spacing. Such tables developed using the HS-25 live loading of the AASHTO Standard
Specifications are expected to be applicable to the bridges designed using the AASHTO-LRFD
Specifications.