Les exposés écrits du congrès ont été publiés dans la langue dans laquelle ils ont été soumis à l’ATC.
This paper addresses the design of bridge decks with various types of reinforcement. It is intended to show that cast-in-place decks can be cost effectively designed with corrosion resistant high strength reinforcement if current options in the AASHTO LRFD BDS are utilized. It will be shown that the analytical “strip” method can be an effective design method if the crack control criteria are revised to truly reflect the behavior of bridge decks, where the dominant cracking pattern is transverse to traffic. Thus, crack control equations should not be applied to the transverse reinforcement, implying longitudinal cracks. It will also be shown that the “Empirical Method” is a powerful tool with a strong track record for over 40 years, with more than two dozen states
adopting it.
The results of this study show that it is possible to take advantage of high strength ASTM A1035 corrosion resistant steel despite its higher initial cost than ASTM A615 steel, if one considers life-cycle cost analysis. Using A615 Galvabars, with continuous machine galvanizing, per ASTM A1094, results in improvements over epoxy and hot-dip galvanized bars, but not the level of corrosion protection as A1035. Galvabars can be bent in the fabrication shop after galvanizing and even at the construction site.
Finally, adjustments to the Strip Method and to the Empirical Method are proposed to allow for wider use of these methods for high strength corrosion resistant steel, while still maintaining adequate serviceability, strength and achieving superior durability.