Load Distribution and Connection Design for Precast Stemmed Multibeam Bridge Superstructures

摘要

The report describes research on distribution of wheel loads in precast concrete multibeam bridges made from single and multi-stemmed members. It covers two distinct areas. In the first, wheel load fractions for the design of individual members were obtained. This was done by computing the maximum response to truck loading of a large number of different bridges. The second area covered design of the joints between members, which are typically made with steel connectors and a grout key. The research consisted of an extensive literature search, the development of a proposed design methodology for the steel connectors and a series of laboratory tests. It was found that the grouted keyway is much stiffer than the steel connectors and carries essentially all the shear load before it cracks.