TY - GEN
T1 - Use of steel diaphragms in prestressed concrete bridges
AU - Chen, Y. Frank
AU - Navarro, Paul J.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Long-span prestressed concrete girders are traditionally braced with concrete diaphragms within the span. One of the common problems for prestressed concrete bridges is the deterioration or even the failure of diaphragms. Replacing the existing concrete diaphragms in a major highway bridge presents a real construction challenge as the traffic usually has to remain open at least partially. A good alternative is to use steel diaphragms, which have been shown to be cost effective and functional in several rehabilitated bridge projects. In addition to rapid construction and functionality, steel diaphragms are significantly lighter. As such, the live-load capacity of a bridge can be increased, which is an important issue for most existing bridges. This paper describes in detail the methodology of load and resistance factor design (LRFD) as related to steel diaphragms and their connections and presents an illustrative design example and the economical benefits of using steel diaphragms. Due to their practical and economical advantages, steel diaphragms are recommended for use in all rehabilitation projects involving prestressed concrete bridges. They may also be considered to be utilized in new reinforced or prestressed concrete bridges.
AB - Long-span prestressed concrete girders are traditionally braced with concrete diaphragms within the span. One of the common problems for prestressed concrete bridges is the deterioration or even the failure of diaphragms. Replacing the existing concrete diaphragms in a major highway bridge presents a real construction challenge as the traffic usually has to remain open at least partially. A good alternative is to use steel diaphragms, which have been shown to be cost effective and functional in several rehabilitated bridge projects. In addition to rapid construction and functionality, steel diaphragms are significantly lighter. As such, the live-load capacity of a bridge can be increased, which is an important issue for most existing bridges. This paper describes in detail the methodology of load and resistance factor design (LRFD) as related to steel diaphragms and their connections and presents an illustrative design example and the economical benefits of using steel diaphragms. Due to their practical and economical advantages, steel diaphragms are recommended for use in all rehabilitation projects involving prestressed concrete bridges. They may also be considered to be utilized in new reinforced or prestressed concrete bridges.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85013878465&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85013878465&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85013878465
T3 - 3rd International fib Congress and Exhibition, Incorporating the PCI Annual Convention and Bridge Conference: Think Globally, Build Locally, Proceedings
BT - 3rd International fib Congress and Exhibition, Incorporating the PCI Annual Convention and Bridge Conference
PB - Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute
T2 - 3rd International fib Congress and Exhibition, Incorporating the PCI Annual Convention and Bridge Conference 2010
Y2 - 29 May 2010 through 2 June 2010
ER -