Uncertainty Analysis of Creep and Shrinkage Effects in Long-Span Continuous Rigid Frame of Sutong Bridge

Abstract

The long-term behavior of long-span prestressed concrete continuous rigid-frame bridges is significantly sensitive to creep and shrinkage. Therefore, it is important to accurately estimate creep and shrinkage effects. This paper presents modified prediction models that are based on the creep and shrinkage models in the existing bridge code. These modified prediction models match well with the test results of the high-strength concrete used in the continuous rigid frame of the Sutong Bridge in China. Results indicate that the accuracy in predicting creep and shrinkage can be enhanced greatly by measuring short-term creep and shrinkage on the given concrete and by modifying the prediction model parameters accordingly. Subsequently, the probabilistic analysis method of structural creep and shrinkage effects was studied. Uncertainty analysis of time-dependent effects in the given bridge was performed using the modified model, and results were compared with field-test data. Two approaches for mitigating deflections that were used in the continuous rigid frame of the Sutong Bridge are introduced. Finally, the time-dependent deflection at the midspan attributable to creep and shrinkage was analyzed.