Title: Analysis of bonded link slabs in precast, prestressed concrete girder bridges
Date Published: May - June 2019
Volume: 64
Issue: 3
Page Numbers: 47 - 65
Authors: Antoine N. Gergess
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij64.3-03
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Abstract
Link slabs provide continuity in the deck slab over the
intermediate supports of multiple-span bridges where
precast, prestressed concrete girders are used. Current
practice recommends debonding the link slab from the
girders’ ends to reduce its stiffness. Steel reinforcement is consequently provided to satisfy the dead- and
live-load criteria. A survey of bridges in the United
States indicated that full-depth cracks still develop in
the link slab and some practices are placing the link
slab without debonding. Although design procedures
for debonded link slabs are currently available, data
related to bonded link slabs is scarce. This paper investigates the structural behavior of bonded link slabs due
to dead and live loads. It examines the contribution of
the stiffness of the link slab on redistribution of shear
and moments. Closed-form solutions were derived for
a three-span symmetrical case and a parametric study
conducted based on standard American Association
of State Highway and Transportation girders commonly used in the medium-span-length range. It was
shown that the link slab parameters, if optimized, can
strengthen the connection in the continuity zone to
resist the induced loads without affecting its resisting
capacity.