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Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-07-055
Date: October 2007

Analysis of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Two-Way Ribbed Bridge Deck Slab

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AUGUST 2007

 

FHWA Contact: Ben Graybeal, HRDI-06, 202-493-3122

NTIS Accession No. of the report covered in this TechBrief: PB2007-112112

This document is a technical summary of the unpublished Federal Highway Administration report, Analysis of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Two-Way Ribbed Bridge Deck Slab, available only through the National Technical Information Service, www.ntis.gov.

Objective

This TechBrief highlights the design process for an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) two-way ribbed prestressed bridge deck element.

Introduction

UHPC is a relatively new material which has demonstrated good durability properties, high compressive strength, and usable tensile resistance.(1,2) The desirable high compressive and usable tensile resistance can lead to smaller and more efficient precast cross sections. The durability properties of UHPC specifically lend themselves toward use in the most highly environmentally stressed portions of the bridges in our nation’s inventory, namely the decks.

The 2006 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specifications serve as guidance for design loads on the deck system while UHPC material characterization and structural behavior studies aid with the moment capacity analysis of the deck element. The design process described in Analysis of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Two-Way Ribbed Bridge Deck Slab is a step toward the development of design specifications for UHPC.

Table 1. UHPC Material Properties.
Property Value

Unit Weight

2500 kg/m3
(156 lb/ft3)

Modulus of elasticity, Ec

52,400 MPa (7600 ksi)

Compressive strength, fc

193 MPa
(28.0 ksi)

Sustainable tensile strength, fct

10.3 MPa
(1.5 ksi)

Tensile strain at fiber pullout, epsilonct

0.007000

 

Figure 1. Prestressed UHPC Beam Internal Stress Distribution.

Figure 1.  Diagram. Prestressed UHPC Beam Internal Stress Distribution. (Figure has 3 diagram sections: a, b, c) This figure shows a rectangular prestressed UHPC beam (figure 1a) loaded to ultimate capacity develops an approximate internal stress distribution (figure 1b) similar to the previously described uniaxial stress-strain behavior. For simplicity, an idealized, simplified stress distribution (figure 1c) is used for analysis.

 

UHPC Flexural Behavior

The uniaxial stress-strain behavior of UHPC differs from conventional concrete in several ways. Most notably, UHPC exhibits tensile capacity well past initial tensile cracking and maintains this tensile capacity until pullout of the fiber reinforcement. Additionally, when compared to the compressive stress-strain response of conventional concrete, UHPC exhibits a significantly more linear load-deformation response up through compressive failure. Finally, UHPC exhibits a very high compressive strength when compared to conventional and high performance concretes. Table 1 shows the set of UHPC material properties used in this design analysis. These properties are based on results from a material characterization study(1) and a structural behavior study.(2)

A rectangular prestressed UHPC beam (figure 1a) loaded to ultimate capacity develops an approximate internal stress distribution (figure 1b) similar to the previously described uniaxial stress-strain behavior. For simplicity, an idealized, simplified stress distribution (figure 1c) is used for analysis. Variable definitions for figure 1 can be found in the accompanying technical report. Internal forces are then resolved from the simplified stress distribution and used to determine the capacity of the UHPC member.

UHPC Deck Slab Design Loads

Design of the UHPC two-way ribbed deck first consists of defining an element and then determining the live, dead, and collision design loads on the UHPC deck for different limit states. The design followed the 2006 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications where appropriate. 

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the proposed deck panel and beam cross section for analysis in the accompanying technical report. The analyzed UHPC deck panel is 11.6 m (38 ft) wide and 2.4 m (8 ft) in the direction of traffic. Two 12.7-mm- (½-inch) diameter prestressing strands in each transverse rib provide flexural resistance and ensure that flexural cracks remain tightly closed. A concrete parapet spans across longitudinal post-tensioned deck elements. Composite action between the girders and the deck is assured via shear connectors that extend from the girders into pockets created between webs of the deck panel. These pockets are filled with grout.

Figure 2. UHPC Bridge Deck Panel Plan and Cross Section View.

Figure 2. Diagram. UHPC Bridge Deck Panel Plan and Cross Section View.  This figure illustrates the proposed deck panel. The analyzed UHPC deck panel is 11.6 m (38 ft) wide and 2.4 m (8 ft) in the direction of traffic. A concrete parapet spans across the longitudinally post-tensioned deck elements. Composite action between the girders and the deck is assured via shear connectors that extend from the girders into pockets created between webs of the deck panel. These pockets are filled with grout.

 

Figure 3. UHPC Beam Cross Section.

Figure 3. Diagram. UHPC Beam Cross Section. This figure illustrates the proposed beam cross section. Two 12.7-mm- (½-inch) diameter prestressing strands in each transverse rib provide flexural resistance and ensure that flexural cracks remain tightly closed.


Moment Capacity Analysis

The positive and negative moment capacity for the proposed cross section is determined from the experimentally observed behavior of UHPC in bending, stress-strain compatibility, and basic principles of mechanics. The moment capacity analysis was completed through an iterative process. Generally the neutral axis depth is assumed and a stress-strain analysis is performed on the cross section. Internal forces are resolved from the stress-strain analysis and equilibrium of the cross section is verified.

Conclusions

The analysis of the UHPC cross section shown in figure 3 reveals the positive and negative bending moment capacities to be 49.2 kN-m (36.3 kip-ft) and 64.5kN-m (47.6 kip-ft), respectively. These capacities exceed design loads for both positive and negative bending within different regions of the bridge deck.

When compared to traditional cast-in-place reinforced concrete deck designs, the proposed UHPC deck design has a 20 percent higher positive moment capacity. In negative bending, the UHPC deck has a slightly higher capacity when compared to traditional designs provided the collision capacities of the railings are similar.

Recommendations

The design example and analytical process detailed in the accompanying technical report illustrates that a UHPC deck panel is capable of resisting vehicular and collision design loads. However, experimental studies on full-scale UHPC decks should be conducted to verify the applicability of all design assumptions and the proposed UHPC flexural methodology. With additional data, a more confident design process for UHPC can be further established and thus lead to established design specifications.

Additional Information

For additional information, contact Ben Graybeal at 202-493-3122 or at the following address:

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA  22101-2296.

References

  1. Graybeal, B.A. “Material Property Characterization of Ultra-High Performance Concrete.” Report No. FHWA-HRT-06-103. August 2006. McLean, VA: Federal Highway Administration.
  2. Graybeal, B.A. “Structural Behavior of Ultra-High Performance Concrete Prestressed I-Girders.” Report No. FHWA-HRT-06-115. August 2006. McLean, VA: Federal Highway Administration.

Researchers—This study was completed by Hector Garcia of the FHWA Resource Center and Ben Graybeal of the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.

Distribution—The unpublished report covered in this TechBrief is being distributed through the National Technical Information Service (www.ntis.gov), NTIS Accession No. PB2007-112112.

Availability—The report will be available in late 2007 and may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service (www.ntis.gov).

Key Words—Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), fiber-reinforced concrete, bridges, bride deck, precast concrete, prestressed concrete, design methodology.

Notice—This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document. The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this TechBrief only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document.

Quality Assurance Statement—The Federal Highway Administration provides high-quality information to serve the Government, industry, and public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

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