Torsional effects on load tests to quantify shear distribution in prestressed concrete girder bridges

Ben Dymond, Catherine E.W. French, Carol K Shield

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Torsion due to superimposed loads is often ignored in prestressed concrete bridge girders because it is considered negligible compared to other forces that control the structural design. However, during load testing of prestressed concrete girder bridges, shear strains due to torsion can be on the same order of magnitude as shear strains due to the vertical shear force resultant for superimposed loads. The inability to differentiate between the two types of shear strains may lead to inaccuracy when determining the vertical shear force distribution in statically indeterminate bridge structures. Rosette strain gages need to be placed on both sides of the girder web to differentiate between torsion and vertical shear to characterize the shear distribution. The need for this instrumentation configuration likely applies to other studies in the literature that have calculated shear force through the use of rosette strain gages on only one side of prestressed concrete girder webs in bridges. This paper discusses best practices to quantify shear distribution data. The study included tests and finite element modeling of laboratory and field bridges.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Concrete Institute, ACI Special Publication
EditorsPinar Okumus, Eva Lantsoght
PublisherAmerican Concrete Institute
Pages169-202
Number of pages34
EditionSP 323
ISBN (Electronic)9781510871281
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017
EventEvaluation of Concrete Bridge Behavior Through Load Testing - International Perspectives at the ACI Fall 2017 Convention - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Oct 15 2017Oct 19 2017

Publication series

NameAmerican Concrete Institute, ACI Special Publication
NumberSP 323
Volume2017-October
ISSN (Print)0193-2527

Conference

ConferenceEvaluation of Concrete Bridge Behavior Through Load Testing - International Perspectives at the ACI Fall 2017 Convention
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period10/15/1710/19/17

Keywords

  • Concrete bridge
  • Finite element model
  • Load testing
  • Prestressed concrete
  • Torsional shear strain
  • Vertical shear strain

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