Category: Monthly Webinar Deck Series #4: Recent Durability Performance Results in Closure Joints of Modular Bridge Decks

December 15, 2011 1:00 pm

by Z. John Ma, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Webinar Documents

Description: Cast-in-place concrete closure joints are a potential weak link in prefabricated bridge decks, depending on the design of the reinforcement through the joint and the quality of the concrete mix materials, reinforcement and concrete placement, and concrete curing. This presentation describes research results from NCHRP 10-71, “Cast-in-Place Concrete Connections for Precast Deck Systems,” completed last year. The presentation focused on how to ensure long-term durability with minimum maintenance requirements for closure joints between full-depth precast deck panels and between decked-bulb-tee flanges. In addition to describing reinforcement requirements to ensure structural capacity, the presentation discussed two concrete mix designs that were tested for durability – one for overnight cure and one for 7-day cure.