5.14.1.4 Simple Spans Made Continuous
5.14.1.4 Simple Spans Made Continuous
5.14.1.4 Simple Spans Made Continuous
4
Page 1 of 2
5/2014
5.14.1.4 SIMPLE SPAN PRESTRESSED GIRDERS MADE CONTINUOUS
The following design criteria shall apply for the design of simple span prestressed girder bridges constructed with a
continuous concrete deck (no expansion joints at the piers).
Case 1 Girders Designed As Simple Spans & Top Deck Reinforcement Added To Control Cracking.
(This is the typical design case for new bridges)
The top longitudinal deck reinforcement over the piers, in addition to the standard empirical design
reinforcement, shall be #6 bars at 12 spaced between the standard top deck bars. The full area of the additional
reinforcement shall extend either direction from the bearing centerlines a distance of at least 10 feet or 15% of
the longer span whichever is greater. At least half the area of the additional reinforcement shall extend to a
distance from the pier of at least 15 ft or 20% of the longer span whichever is greater.
The bottom longitudinal deck reinforcement shall be per the empirical design method, Article 9.7.2.
A positive moment connection at the piers shall be provided. This shall entail extending the required number of
prestressing strand beyond the end of each girder 8 horizontally then bent vertical and anchored in the pier
diaphragm. See details on standard drawing for Prestressed AASHTO Girder Details B5.2D or Prestressed
Bulb Tee Girder Details B5.3O.
Varies
Article 5.14.1.4
Page 2 of 2
5/2014
Commentary
Case 1 The additional reinforcement in the top of the deck is based on providing enough steel over the piers to
meet the requirements for control of cracking in the deck per Article 5.7.3.4 assuming the total Service 1 live load is
distributed equally to all girders. This additional deck steel may not supply enough negative moment capacity to
resist the full negative moments that would be required in a continuous girder design for Strength 1 loading, however
it will provide enough reinforcement to limit the steel stress requirements for crack control for spans up to 130 and
girder depths up to 73.5. Girders not specifically designed for continuous action should still be provided with a
positive moment connection in order to prevent possible cracking in the diaphragm and also to securely anchor the
girders in the diaphragm. The number of prestressing strands that are extended into the pier diaphragm is based on the
area of steel required to provide a moment capacity, M n, sufficient to resist 0.6Mcr for the composite girder section in
positive bending based on Mcr = Sfr where S is the composite section modulus and fr is the modulus of rupture equal
to 0.24f`c where f`c is the strength of the diaphragm concrete. ITDs maximum slab thickness and the maximum
effective composite slab width per Article 4.6.2.6.1 were used to establish the number of strands required for the
various girder depths as well as development length. However, the number of strand and the development length
shown on the standard drawing may be considered adequate.
Case 2 Since the effects due to creep and shrinkage are highly dependent on conditions beyond the control or
knowledge of the designer, it is more practical to allow the girders to age for 90 days before continuity is established
in order to negate the effects of creep and shrinkage rather than attempting to calculate these effects based on
assumed conditions and material properties that can vary significantly.
Revisions:
June 2006
May 2014