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Title:

INFLUENCE OF CUTOUT GEOMETRY ON STRESSES AT WELDED RIB-TO-DIAPHRAGM CONNECTIONS IN STEEL ORTHOTROPIC BRIDGE DECKS

Accession Number:

00984609

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States
Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/155508.aspx

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309094879

Abstract:

The geometry of the cutout at the intersection of longitudinal ribs and transverse diaphragm plates in steel orthotropic bridge decks can have a significant impact on the stress in the region of the welded rib-to-diaphragm connections. Many different approaches to detailing this connection have been tried, with mixed success. To provide additional guidance to designers, a finite element parametric study that systematically investigated the effect of altering the geometry of certain variables was performed. Parameters considered included overall cutout shape, cutout depth, diaphragm plate thickness, and deck plate thickness. Results indicate that the suggested cutout geometry shown in the current (2002) AASHTO "LRFD Bridge Design Specifications" for closed-rib orthotropic bridge decks produces increased stresses on this fatigue-sensitive connection. An improved geometry is proposed to replace that currently presented in the specification. Results of this study indicate that larger cutout geometries offer less resistance to out-of-plane displacements induced by longitudinal rib rotations. As a result, out-of-plane stresses are decreased at the connection. However, cutouts that are excessively deep will increase in-plane stresses at the welded rib-to-diaphragm connection. If the cutout is too shallow, out-of-plane stresses may become prohibitively high owing to restraint of longitudinal rib rotations. Cutouts that are between 1/3 and 1/2 the depth of the rib with transition radii at the top of the cutout of 50 to 75 mm and vertical cuts are most favorable. The cutout geometry shown in the AASHTO LRFD specification results in an overstiff cutout detail. A proposed improved geometry is presented.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1892, Design of Structures 2004.

Monograph Title:

DESIGN OF STRUCTURES 2004

Monograph Accession #:

00984600

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Connor, Robert J

Pagination:

p. 78-87

Publication Date:

2004

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1892
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0309094879

Features:

Figures (13) ; Photos (1) ; References (9) ; Tables (3)

Subject Areas:

Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Jan 25 2005 12:00AM

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