Evaluating the Time-Dependent and Bond Characteristics of Lightweight Concrete Mixes for Kansas Prestressed Concrete Bridges, Technical Summary

摘要

The majority of the bridges in Kansas are in rural areas. Many of these are becoming structurally deficient, and are in need of replacement. Due to the location of these bridges, cost of transporting prestressed girders to these areas often makes use of cast-in-place bridges more economical. Use of lightweight aggregate in these bridge girders would reduce the total weight and could allow multiple girders to be shipped on one semi-truck. This would reduce transportation costs and allow the more economical prestressed girders to be used in rural areas. Lightweight prestressed girders could be put in place using a lower capacity crane due to the lower self-weight of the beam. The construction process would be quicker without the need of form work associated with cast-in-place girders. The lighter self-weight would also increase allowable live loads the bridges would be able to carry.