Structural Behavior of Construction Joints in a Composite Rigid-Frame Bridge

Composite rigid-frame bridges with steel girders have excellent structural performance, but behavioral inconsistency appears at the connection between the steel girder and concrete pier. In addition, composite rigid-frame bridges are challenging to construct owing to the need to connect different materials at the pier. Therefore, this study developed and demonstrated a composite rigid-frame bridge with a construction joint and anchors. The structural performance and composite behavior of the proposed construction joint were investigated by evaluating a direct connection between the girder and concrete prior to casting (Joint A), a plain construction joint (Joint B), and a construction joint with anchors (Joint C). Joints B and C exhibited 16.5% and 46.5% higher ultimate capacities, respectively, than did Joint A. Finite element analysis of Joint C was conducted, and its results were verified against the experimental results. Further, parameter analysis was performed to determine the effects of the steel girder strength and anchor diameter. The results indicated that the proposed construction joint with anchors exhibited excellent structural performance and composite behavior.