Comprehensive Design Example for Prestressed Concrete (PSC) Girder Superstructure Bridge
General Superstructure Design Flow Chart Text
- Assume girder size based on span and girder spacing; (Design Step 2.0)
- Determine noncomposite dead load (girder, haunch and deck slab) for the interior and exterior girders; (Design Step 5.2)
- Determine composite dead load (railings, utilities, and future wearing surface) for the interior and exterior girders ; (Design Step 5.2)
- Determine LL distribution factors for the interior and exterior girders; (Design Step 5.1)
- Determine unfactored and factored force effects; (Design Step 5.3)
- Determine the controlling girder (interior or exterior) and continue the design for this girder
- Determine long-term and short-term prestressing force losses; (Design Step 5.4)
- Design for flexure under Service Limit State; (Design Step 5.6)
- Design for flexure under Strength Limit State
- Design for shear under Strength Limit State; (Design Step 5.7)
- Check longitudinal reinforcement for additional forces from shear
- Did the girder pass all design checks and the calculations indicate the selected girder size leads to an economical design?
NO; Select a different girder size or change strand arrangement and go back to 2
YES; END.