Development of a Precast Bent Cap System for Seismic Regions. NCHRP Report 681

摘要

Precast bent cap systems are of increasing utility in highway construction. Precasting moves concrete forming, pouring, and curing operations out of the work zone, making bridge construction safer and more environmentally friendly, and it removes bent cap construction from the critical path, thus accelerating the construction process. Precasting also improves quality and durability because the work is performed in a more controlled environment. The accelerated construction benefits of precast bent cap systems support the philosophy of get in, get out, stay out. Successful use of precast bent caps relies on proper design, constructibility, and performance of the connections. Early uses of precast bent caps were limited to applications where minimal moment and shear transfer were required at connections. In seismic regions, provisions normally must be made to transfer greater forces through connections.