Deflection Control of Prestressed Box Girder Bridges

Mamdouh Elbadry1, Amin Ghali2, Ramez B. Gayed3

1
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University Of Calgary, 2Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, 3Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University Of Calgary

ABSTRACT REQUIREMENTS

ment D(t)
Displace-
The models for prediction of creep in codes and design guides are mainly The section reinforced with tendons as shown in figure below is introduced

(mm)
based on tests in which the load is sustained for a number of years, most with prestressing force at time to. In addition, an axial force combined with

124

156
84
models predict that creep reaches its extreme after approximately 30 years. bending moments are also introduced at time to and sustained upto much

-
-

-
-

-
-
A frequently accepted Creep and Shrinkage Prediction Model for Analysis later time t . And it is required to find the stress and strain in concrete and

placem
ent D

(mm)
and Design of Concrete Structures; Model B3 predicts indefinite increase of steel at time to and t.

-103
Dis-

-17

-46
(t0)
creep with the logarithm of the number of days of sustained loading. Analysis

-
-

-
-

-
-
of deflection using Model B3 of a large number of bridges agrees with meas-

Loss

19.2
21.5
22.0

21.6
22.7
24.0

22.8
25.3
26.5
Pre-
stre
ured deflection in terms of magnitude and continued increasing tendency.

ss

%
Curva-

187.1*

184.5*

184.9*
125.1*
due to

tained

158.0
143.6

156.1
118.7
loads

95.6
INTRODUCTION

sus-
ture

live

Span = 100 m

Span = 125 m
Span = 75 m
Modern bridges are required to sustain quality service over a long life span.

due to
vature

ng plus tained
The deflection or camber must not exceed specified limits throughout the

-22.0
-28.9

-10.4
-24.6
-44.0

-13.9
-46.4
-63.1
Cur-

sus-

load

-8.4
structure’s entire life. The effects of prestressing, whose magnitude is time
dependent, and gravity loads on displacements are interdependent; there- Fig 2 : Cross– section of general shape

Bottom

+1.35*
+0.43*
stressi
fore, they must be calculated simultaneously with the effect of creep, shrinkage,

due to

time, t
(MPa)
stress

0.51*
ML at

-0.02

-0.04
-2.14

-0.42
-3.33
-4.74
fiber

pre-
and relaxation. The analysis must satisfy compatibility and equilibrium at any ANALYSIS
instant.
The time-dependent changes in prestressing are determined by the analy-

fiber stress
due to pre-

plus M at
stressing
sis. The changes given by empirical methods do not satisfy the equilibrium

Bottom

time, t0

-11.41
-13.19
-14.09

-15.68
-18.14
-21.48

-20.84
-27.79
-31.39
(MPa)
and the compatIbility requirements; therefore, they cannot be used in pre-
dicting the camber and deflection. However trial analysis has been done
using the program CGS as an optional tool to assist in the computations in-

Result-

stress
Force
volved in applying the equations.

Pre-

at t0

114
120
128

162
180
189
ant

76
80
82
DESIGN EXAMPLE

Trial
No.

1
2
3

1
2
3

1
2
3
*Results that failed to satisfy empirical relationships.

CONCLUSIONS
Fig 1 : (a) Typical Creep-Time Curve (b) Typical Shrinkage-Time Curve
Excessive deflection recorded in a significant number of international bridg-
es can be explained by analysis only when creep equations indicate an
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE & LIMITATION infinite increase of creep with the logarithm of time. For control of deflec-
tion, it is proposed to design the prestressing such that its combined effect
The research uses Model B3 for creep and proposes a post tensioning de- with a sustained gravity load produces zero curvature. The loss of prestress
sign and analysis of camber and deflection not exceeding specified limits in during the life span will be the only cause of deflection. The magnitude of
the prestressing force, its eccentricity, and its geometry can be selected
a life span of 125 years. The loss of prestress because of the creep, shrink- such that the deflection be negative (camber) immediately after prestress-
age of concrete and relaxation of prestressed steel has a dominant effect Fig 3 : Cross-section of bridge ing, becoming a positive value at the end of the life span. The proposed
on crack and deflection control; therefore, computing the long-term deflec- design can increase the cost of prestressing; the in- crease is a well-
It is required to design the posttensioning for 3 simply supported bridges of deserving expense for sustainability.
tion has to consider prestress loss at the same time. The age-adjusted
span 75, 100 and 125m, such that the absolute value of the deflection or
elasticity modulus adopted in the present paper replaces the multiple-step
the camber does not exceed L/800 during a life span of 125 years. The results
analysis by one step without significant loss of accuracy.
obtained from the trial analysis are tabulated as follows.