TRB Pubsindex
Text Size:
x

« Prev Next »

Return to Results | New Search

Bookmark and Share

Title:

Field and Analytical Studies of the First Folded Plate Girder Bridge
Cover of Field and Analytical Studies of the First Folded Plate Girder Bridge

Accession Number:

01514930

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Abstract:

An innovative Folded Plate Girder (FPG) system bridge was constructed in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst collaborated with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Accelerated Bridge Construction Program to instrument the bridge with a total of 93 gages (strain gages, pressure cells, tiltmeters, displacement transducers, and convergence gages). Data was collected during construction, static live load testing, and long-term for twenty months. This paper presents data and comparisons to analysis (3-D bridge and girder modeling in SAP-2000 and ANSYS and 2-D hand calculations) to present an independent evaluation of the performance of this innovative bridge. Stresses in concrete and steel components are well below allowable design values through construction, long term data collection and truck load testing. Live-load test data indicate that the elastic neutral axis of the girders is higher than calculated, with measured strains being much lower than estimated from hand calculations and finite element (FE) results. This was partially explained by non-linearity of strains in the bottom flanges of the FPG due to shear lag when truck axles were positioned near instrumented locations, as confirmed through analysis. Through the first two years of service no signs of distress have been noted and readings are within the expected range of bridge behavior. Based on this study the FPG is an effective system for accelerated construction of short span bridges.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFF10 General Structures.

Monograph Accession #:

01503729

Report/Paper Numbers:

14-2764

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Civjan, Scott A
Sit, Man Hou
Brena, Sergio F

Pagination:

19p

Publication Date:

2014

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC
Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Subject Areas:

Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-2764

Files:

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Jan 27 2014 2:57PM