Academic Journal

Finite Element Analysis and Long-Term Monitoring of a Highway Overpass Bridge with Newly Constructed Link Slabs and Modified Bearings

Bibliographic Details
Title: Finite Element Analysis and Long-Term Monitoring of a Highway Overpass Bridge with Newly Constructed Link Slabs and Modified Bearings
Authors: Yifan Zhu, Kuangyuan Hou, Chung C. Fu, Naiyi Li, Ruel E. Sabellano
Source: Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2679:58-67
Publisher Information: SAGE Publications, 2021.
Publication Year: 2021
Subject Terms: 02 engineering and technology, 0201 civil engineering
Description: Joint failure, which causes leakage in bridge decks as well as deterioration in girders and substructures, is one of the most common concerns in highway bridges. Therefore, link slabs have been considered as a preventive maintenance method in eliminating these joints. This paper presents a pilot project that constructed the link slab system in Maryland, U.S., with modified bearings to improve its durability and reduce maintenance costs. Compared with the traditional bearing replacement design for the link slab systems, this project proposes a more economical method by removing the anchor bolts and restricting sliding plates of the fixed bearings at both abutments to match the designed boundary conditions while avoiding the high cost of jacking girders and replacing bearings. Furthermore, numerical analysis and structural health monitoring were conducted and validated to investigate the effectiveness of the link slab design with various high performance concrete materials. After the one-year monitoring period, the link slab system is verified to be in fully functional condition and the bearing modification design is verified to be effective.
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 2169-4052
0361-1981
DOI: 10.1177/03611981211061136
Rights: URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license
Accession Number: edsair.doi...........be18b2026f84f7adf5667ab05a127544
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
ISSN:21694052
03611981
DOI:10.1177/03611981211061136