Transverse Joint Design of Small–Medium-Span Fully Precast Steel–UHPC Lightweight Composite Bridge

Abstract

Joints are always the key issue of the precast bridge structures for accelerated construction. In this paper, the transverse joint of a fully precast steel–UHPC lightweight composite bridge was proposed. Based on the first small–medium-span fully precast steel–UHPC lightweight composite bridge in China, the flexural test of the proposed T-shaped joint was conducted. The test result showed that no apparent crack can be seen in the middle of the specimen, and the successively poured joint interface was the weak link of the design. The equations of the joint interface maximum crack width and the ultimate bearing capacity were presented through theoretical analysis, and the prediction and the experimental results were generally consistent. The length of the proposed T-shaped joint upper part was discussed with the spans of 20–50 m, and the value of 0.1L was finally determined.