1.

6 Design Example—Simple Span Precast–

Pretensioned I-Girder Bridge
• This example illustrates the typical procedure
in designing a simple span precast–
pretensioned concrete girder bridge in
accordance with AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications (AASHTO 2012).
 1.6.1 Bridge Data
• The bridge has a span length of 85 t (from centerline
of support to centerline of support). Total deck width
is 35 t, including two 12 t traic lanes with two 4 t
shoulders and two 1.5 t concrete barriers. Bridge
elevation and plan views are shown in Figures 1.14
and 1.15, respectively. In Figure 1.15, the
abbreviations BB and EB stand for “Begin Bridge” and
“End Bridge” respectively.
 1.6.2 Design Requirements
A precast–pretensioned concrete I-girder bridge type is selected as the
superstructure of the bridge. In this example, the following steps are performed
for the design of an interior girder in accordance with the AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Speciications (AASHTO 2012).
• Develop geometry.
• Select materials.
• Compute section properties.
• Perform structural analysis.
• Determine required prestressing force.
• Estimate prestress losses.
• Check concrete stresses for service limit state.
• Design for strength limit state—lexural.
• Design for strength limit state—shear.
• Check longitudinal reinforcement requirement.
• Design anchorage zone reinforcement.
• Calculate delection and camber.
 1.6.3 Solutions
• 1.6.3.1 Develop Geometry
For the constant depth superstructure of the precast–
pretensioned I-beams, the structure depth-to-span ratio,
D/L can be taken as 0.045, and the girder spacing-to-
structure depth ratio of 1.5 is commonly used. It is also
assumed that the prestressing steel is to be stressed to
75% of its strength with harped strands at 0.4L to control
concrete stresses at the top of the girder at transfer stage.
1.6.3.2 Select Materials
1.6.3.3 Compute Section Properties
(b) Efective lange width According to AASHTO Art. 4.6.2.6.1, for skew
angles ≤75°, L/S ≥ 2.0, and overhang ≤0.5S, the efective lange width of a
concrete deck slab for an interior girder can be taken as the tributary
width, that is, girder spacing S. For this example, skew angles = 0 (≤75°);
L/S = 85/6 = 14.2 (>2.0) and overhang width = 2.5' (<0.5S = 3.5').
herefore, the efective lange width be = S = 72 in (Figure 1.18).
(c) Composite section he section properties of individual elements
including girder, deck, and haunch are c alculated in Figure 1.19.

• In order to compute the section properties of composite section, it is

necessary to transform the cast-in-place deck slab and haunch using a
modular ratio, nc, to account for the diference in concrete materials
between precast girder and cast-in-place deck.
1.6.3.4 Perform Structural Analysis
• Dead loads on composite section. According to
AASHTO Art. 4.6.2.2.1, permanent dead loads
(including concrete barriers and wearing surface) may
be distributed uniformly among all girders provided all
of the following conditions are met.
• Width of deck is constant.
• Number of girder is not less than 4. he example has Nb
= 6.
• Beams are parallel and have approximately the same
stifness.
• (c) Calculate shear force and bending moment due to live loads
The live load considered in this example is the AASHTO HL-93 load
(i) Live load distribution factor (for an interior girder)
Live load shear forces and bending moments for an interior
girder can be determined using the simpliied distribution factor
formulas speciied in AASHTO Art. 4.6.2.2.2 and AASHTO Art.
4.6.2.2.3, if all of the conditions in AASHTO Art. 4.6.2.2 are met.
It has been shown in the previous section that, for this example,
these conditions are met. Therefore, the simpliied distribution
factor formulas are applicable.
Live load moment distribution factor
1.6.3.5 Determine Required Prestressing
Force