WSDOT currently does not use precast, decked bridge members, such as deck bulb tees, on major highways, largely because bridges built with them on smaller roadways have developed cracks along the longitudinal joints. Because the use of decked members would allow faster on-site construction, this cooperative UW/WSU project is seeking to develop a transverse connection between deck bulb tee flanges by using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to provide full continuity across the joint. Researchers at WSU developed a UHPC mixture that depends on locally sourced materials, thereby avoiding the high costs of the proprietary material, and working to establish its critical properties, particularly bond and durability. UW researchers are evaluating first subassemblies and then complete joints for their stiffness and strength in bending. The benefits of the work to WSDOT will be the ability to construct durable bridge decks with precast, decked members, thereby avoiding the need to form, reinforce, and cast the deck on site. This will result in considerable time and cost savings.
Principal Investigators:
John F. Stanton, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW
Pizhong Qiao, Civil and Environmental Engineering, WSU
Sponsor: WSDOT
WSDOT Technical Monitor: Bijan Khaleghi
WSDOT Project Manager: Lu Saechao
Scheduled completion: June 2017