December 15, 2022 1:00 pm

Walter (Walt) Peters, P.E., Assistant Bridge Engineer–Maintenance, Oklahoma Department of Transportation; Royce W. Floyd, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., Associate Professor, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma; and Trevor J. Looney, Ph.D., P.E., formerly Ph.D. student, University of Oklahoma, and now Research Civil Engineer, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Webinar Documents:
UHPC Connections for Accelerated Restoration of Live Load Continuity – Oklahoma’s U.S. 183/412 Bridge over Wolf Creek - pdf of presentation
Q&A Session - pdf
News - December 15, 2022 - pdf of presentation

Description: In 2019 the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) replaced live load continuity connections between precast girders on the U.S. 183/412 bridge over Wolf Creek in Fort Supply, Oklahoma, that had substantial cracking due to time-dependent effects. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was used to restore continuity, create a durable connection, and accelerate repairs by allowing material placement through small holes cored through the bridge deck. Elastic level load tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the UHPC at reestablishing continuity, and the joints were monitored over time. The concept for this retrofit was supported by laboratory testing of six UHPC connection specimens sponsored by ODOT. A follow-on ABC-UTC research project, Design Guidance for UHPC Connections of Precast Girders Made Continuous for Live Load (ABC-UTC-2016-C4-OU01), is examining design guidance for these connections. This presentation provides an overview of the issues associated with precast girders made continuous for live load in Oklahoma, followed by a description of the laboratory testing of UHPC continuity connections and retrofit of the Wolf Creek bridge.

Presenters:

Walter (Walt) Peters, P.E.
Assistant Bridge Engineer – Maintenance
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Email: wpeters@odot.org

Walt has worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for almost 50 years, primarily in the Bridge Division. He has worked as a designer, project engineer, and an assistant bridge engineer. Walt is married to Rita. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Walt likes swimming, bike riding, and Bible Study.

Royce W. Floyd, Ph.D., P.E., S.E.
Associate Professor
School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
University of Oklahoma
Email: rfloyd@ou.edu

In his position at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Royce currently focuses his research interests broadly on behavior of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), prestressed concrete structures, large-scale structural behavior, and innovative concrete materials. He has completed multiple projects focused on behavior of prestressed concrete structures and specialty concrete materials and has published more than 40 technical journal articles in these areas. His research goals center on understanding and implementing innovative concrete materials to create longer lasting structures.

Trevor J. Looney, Ph.D., P.E.
Research Civil Engineer
Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Email: Trevor.J.Looney@erdc.dren.mil

Trevor received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2010 and 2012, respectively. He then received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2021, where his work concentrated on the optimization of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for strength, durability, and structural applications, as well as developing its multi-axial tensile failure criteria. Trevor is currently a Research Civil Engineer at the Concrete and Materials Branch of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.