Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Frame bridges allow for the elimination of the middle support. This simplifies the con-
struction of the bridge without essential interference of the traffic under the bridge, as
the road has not to be closed.
Due to the absence of bearings and joints, the maintenance costs can be decreased sig-
nificantly.
Therefore bridges with integral abutments hold the potential to outclass traditional
bridges with transition joints which has been proven clearly within the scope of the INTAB
project [1].
Since 1998, bridges have been created in a composite pre-fabrication (VFT® = Ver-
bund-Fertigteil-Träger = prefabricated composite beam) method of construction [11]. The
system established with over 300 erected structures principally in Germany as well in Poland
and Austria. It is a cost-effective construction for composite bridges of small and medium
spans with site-prepared traffic deck.
The PRECOBEAM system - VFT girder with rolled girders in concrete - represents a
further development of this method of construction. The new system provides a rolled beam
section that is cut in the web centre in such a way to result in 2 T-sections, whereas the cutting
form provides the shear connector. This special cut of steel web allows a perfect connection
to the upper concrete part. The cutting guide selected for the manufacture of the concrete
dowels enables the manufacture of tall sections without waste [1]. With the separation tech-
nology used it is possible to achieve a high quality for the separating faces with minimum
local notch effects.
Figure 1:
PRECOBEAM girder
Figure 2:
Configuration variants of PRECO girders for bridge construction
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