Research Solutions, Evaluating the Use of Prefabricated Concrete Bridge Rails, TPF-5(367), February 2025

(2025) Research Solutions, Evaluating the Use of Prefabricated Concrete Bridge Rails, TPF-5(367), February 2025. Transportation, Department of

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Abstract

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) has been widely used as a means to reduce the number of structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges in the nation. This approach is important to state DOTs because of the number of structurally deficient bridges in the nation. To complement ABC construction, which largely uses prefabricated components, concrete barriers should also follow accelerated construction method so that bridges can be completed over as short of a duration as possible and back open to the public as quickly as possible. Use of cast-in-place construction of barriers on ABC bridges is time consuming and not cost effective. Therefore, new ways to use prefabricated products for barrier construction should be investigated. Following the evaluation of the current state of knowledge, Iowa State University researchers have developed precast concrete barriers that can be rapidly implemented. This initial research was funded by the Accelerated Bridge Construction-University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC) housed at Florida International University, who leads the ABC-UTC university consortium. The research project considered two different barriers to deck connection details that were designed and tested under quasi static loads to understand the load distribution and evaluate the connection performance. The first connection utilizing inclined reinforcing bars promotes durability and reparability but its initial cost is higher than the second alternative. The second connection that utilizes U-shaped reinforcing bars for connecting the precast barriers to the bridge deck is durable and cost effective, but replacement cost will be higher than the first alternative.