This thesis investigates the impact of interface surface treatment methods for use in the Virginia Inverted T-Beam bridge system. The specific system consists of precast beams with thin bottom flanges placed next to one another, with a cast-in-place slab on top. Previous research has shown that the strength of this system after cyclic loading is highly dependent upon the shear strength of the interface between the precast and cast-in-place sections, especially for the adhesion-based connection configuration. The approval of this bridge system for use in bridges with high daily traffic volumes hinges on the verification of its strength and durability for a 50-year lifespan.
The shear strength of ten different surface textures was tested using push-off tests to determine which interface roughening methods would prove adequate for use in the bridge system. The strength was found to depend on both the amplitude and the geometry of the undulations on the beam-to-slab interface. Using this information, a texture was selected for a new trial of the adhesion-based connection configuration, and a test specimen was constructed. After completing cyclic loading to simulate the design life of the bridge, it was found that the system achieved a strength similar to previous monotonically loaded specimens. It was concluded that the bridge is safe for use in high daily traffic areas provided that a surface roughening with adequate shear strength is used. / Master of Science / The Virginia Inverted T-Beam bridge system was initially designed to be more durable and economical than other types of bridges. The bridge is constructed by arranging prefabricated beams side-by-side across the span before placing fresh concrete overtop. In the most economical version of the system, the only connection between the beams is the newly placed concrete. For the beams and topping to act together, the bond between them must be strong. Roughening the surface of the prefabricated beams increases the strength of the bond, although different roughening patterns achieve different levels of strength. Past tests of the bridge system have utilized inadequate roughing patterns which lead to low bridge failure loads after many loading cycles. This low-cost configuration is currently only approved for use in low daily traffic areas.
The goal of this research was to determine a roughening pattern that would result in a high bridge failure load which would allow the low-cost configuration to be approved for high daily traffic areas. Several roughening patterns were investigated and the patterns producing the highest shear strengths were determined. The best pattern was chosen to be used for the bridge configuration and a sub-section of the bridge was constructed. This specimen was subjected to a loading protocol that simulated the traffic that an actual bridge would be subjected to over its life span. The failure load was then measured and found to be high enough to warrant the use of the specific system in high daily traffic areas.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/83600 |
| Date | 20 June 2018 |
| Creators | Gilbertson, Rebecka Lynn |
| Contributors | Civil and Environmental Engineering, Roberts-Wollmann, Carin L., Koutromanos, Ioannis, Hebdon, Matthew H. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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