Modeling Structural Performance of Second-Generation Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete Pi-Girders

Abstract

The concrete-damaged plasticity (CDP) model with proposed material properties replicated the observed deflection and strain responses of three experimentally tested I-girders and was determined to be consistent for different spans under both flexural and shear tests. In this study, the CDP model was further tested in modeling the behaviors of a prestressed second-generation ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) pi-girder. The computational aspects include discussion of the various parameters that influenced the accuracy of the model and investigation of the scenarios regarding the limits that are useful for further optimization of the girder. The CDP model was reconfirmed to be consistent and reliable in replicating the observed structural response of both the UHPC pi-girder and a modified structural configuration referred to as the “UHPC pi-girder-with-joint.” The finite-element analysis modeling techniques developed herein are expected to be valuable in the future development of additional UHPC structural components.