Flexural Performance of Bridge Girders Constructed with Multiple 19-Wire-28.6-mm-Diameter, Grade 1780 Strands, and Self-Consolidating Concrete

Abstract

This research presents the experimentally measured transfer and development length and flexural behavior based on the testing of two Iowa Type A bridge girders constructed using multiple 19-wire, Grade 1780, 28.6 mm diameter strands and high-strength self-consolidating concrete (SCC). This study is the first of its kind for girders constructed with SCC and such large-diameter strands. Transfer length measurements were taken using demountable mechanical strain gauges, while the effective prestress was obtained by performing crack opening tests on the uncracked girders. The flexural tests were conducted on the girders at two locations using a single-point load to estimate the development length of the strands in SCC. This research shows that transfer and development lengths for these strands are between 31–35 and 92–135 times the strand diameter, respectively, both of which are below the computed values using AASHTO LRFD. However, there needs to be more information for comparison.