Institute for Transportation

About the research

A common technique in accelerated bridge construction (ABC) is the use of prefabricated bridge elements and systems (PBES). The bridge components are built outside of the construction area, transported to the site, and then rapidly installed. This helps significantly reduce the time required for concrete placement and curing as well as formwork erection and removal. Another benefit to using PBES is improved quality control. Damage due to weather is also minimized because elements are built in a controlled environment. However, an open question is how to address the long-term performance and durability concerns associated with the joints that connect high-quality bridge elements.

To address this question, one approach that has gained significant attention is to eliminate the joints through the addition of link slabs. The current project built on the outcome of experimental tests and numerical simulations performed on link slabs at Iowa State University for a previous ABC-UTC-sponsored research project to explain their structural performance under various loading conditions. A short course module was developed to provide the design guidelines and practical recommendations necessary to properly implement link slabs in jointless bridges. The course covers a range of material and structural aspects, including alternative concrete and rebar choices, crack criteria, bonding/debonding requirements, and reinforcement details.