Live-Load and Shear Connection Testing of Full-Scale Precast Bridge Panels

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation to quantify the behavior of a precast deck system. As part of this investigation, a live-load test was performed on a steel I-girder bridge made with accelerated bridge construction precast deck panels. It was found that the bridge was behaving compositely in some locations and noncompositely in others. When the bridge was decommissioned, a two-girder specimen was salvaged and transported to Utah State University for shear-capacity testing. The primary shear failure mechanism was found to be buckling of the girder web. A nonlinear finite-element analysis was conducted using