SHEAR KEYS BETWEEN ADJACENT PECAST CONCRETE BRIDGE BOX BEAMS UTILIZING UHPC: DETAILS AND DESIGN

Author(s): H. Pourmand and K. Sennah
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on UHPC Materials and Structures (UHPC2018-China)
Editor(s): Caijun Shi and Baochun Chen
ISBN: 978-2-35158-219-0
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-220-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 725-736
Total Pages: 12
Language : English

Abstract: Recently, prefabricated bridge elements, systems connection technology have extensively
been used in North America to reduce construction time. One of these systems is the adjacent
precast deck-free concrete box beams. Adjacent precast beams are placed side by side over
the abutment and piers and connected together using shear keys. This paper summarize the
history of shear keys used in North America for long time, followed by the new trends of
using deck-free system with joints at the top flange level. The evolution of this system and
associated UHPC use is presented in this paper. Since concrete-filled joints provide transverse
shear rigidity, the truck load transverse distribution from one beam to another takes place,
mainly through transverse vertical shear force, Vy, across the shear key. This paper presents a
parametric study on adjacent box beam bridge prototypes to obtained reliable Vy values based
on (i) number of design lanes ranging from 1 to 6, (ii) multi-lane truck loading conditions;
and (iii) wide range of flexural and torsional rigidities of box beams. The analysis of the
studied bridges was conducted using the Orthotropic Plate Theory. Based on the data
generated from the parametric study, design charts were developed to assist in designing the
shear key between box beams, including UHPC-filled joints. Recommendations for future
research on UHPC-filled shear keys were then drawn.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00