New technology implemented in this project: Precaster's view

摘要

This span replacement project provided the impetus to employ technologies that the Pacific Northwest PCI Producer Members had been discussing with WSDOT for quite some time. Decked bulb tees have been popular with the State of Alaska and cities and counties in Washington State, but WSDOT had been reluctant to use them, particularly on high-volume roads. WSDOT developed standards for decked bulb tees but required a thick (5 1/2 in. [140 mm]) cast-in-place deck in addition to the precast concrete deck, essentially negating the effectiveness of the section other than eliminating the need for cast-in-place deck formwork. It is believed that this was WSDOT's first use of these sections with only a thin leveling overlay. These sections allow the precaster to supply the deck as well as the girders. The owner gains an accelerated schedule by eliminating the need to form and place the deck in the field.