Field Performance of a Reinforced Concrete Bridge Deck Using 45 Percent LessReinforcement than Required by AASHTO

摘要

This report compares the field performance of two reinforced-concrete bridge-decksections designed using the AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) specifications and the OHBDC (Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code) isotropic reinforcement method. For direct comparison of their field performance under similar conditions, the two bridge deck sections were incorporated into the same bridge. The two lane, five-span bridge, called the Ferry Hill Bridge, is located in Orono, Maine. It is 450 ft long and 46 ft, 8 in. Wide and consists of longitudinal steel girders with a monolithic 8 in. Thick reinforced-concrete deck. The field performance of the two deck sections was evaluated over a seven-year period by measuring rebar strains at 28 locations in the deck and conducting visual inspections of the underside of the concrete deck. Based on this research, it is concluded that during the first seven years of service, there is no significant difference in performance between the AASHTO and OHBDC deck sections. The OHBDC deck-design method has resulted in important material and labor cost savings for the Ferry Hill Bridge, with no discernable difference in performance after seven years of service.