An Industrialized Construction Approach to Concrete Superstructures for Bridges

About the report:

The objective of this study was to develop drawings for a specific site or sites that incorporated the best concepts of industrialized bridge superstructure construction, that is, great emphasis was placed upon the use of modular design and assembly line techniques in the prefabrication and assembly of the superstructure. The final design featured a 3-span bridge (each span approximately 60 feet long) of eight foot wide or less prestressed box beams. Other experimental features included a totally precast concrete parapet, longitudinal glued joints (transverse posttensioning was available if glued joints failed), the absence of a field placed wearing surface (provisions were available to apply one later if necessary) and longitudinal posttensioning for continuity. The bridge was advertised for bids in the fall of 1972, but it failed to receive an earnest bid. A new study, with similar objectives and with the active participation of the Virginia Prestressed Concrete Association, is presently under way and showing considerable promise of achieving the stated objectives.

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