Precast Prestressed Concrete Through-Girder System for Shallow Bridge Structures

This paper presents an innovative precast through-girder system that involves using ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in connections. This can be adopted in shallow bridge structures and achieves both enhanced durability and simplified construction. The superstructure proposed includes precast concrete through-girder segments that are spliced longitudinally through post-tensioning. It also includes precast prestressed double-tee transverse beams that span between the through girders. An important feature of this system is that it uses UHPC at the transverse joints between adjacent transverse beams, as well as at the longitudinal joints between the transverse beams and the through girders. The use of UHPC allows the joint widths to be minimized and eliminates the need for longitudinal post-tensioning across the transverse joints, which simplifies and accelerates construction. Further, using UHPC enhances structural performance overall significantly and reduces maintenance costs.