Prestressed/post-tensioned concrete bridges - Computational Analysis and Design of Bridge Structures - page 156

Figure 5.32 US23043 Bridge, Maryland.
skewed with an angle of 30° to the bridge axis. The section consists of
11 precast and prestressed I-beams and a cast-in-place slab. The same
VBDS program as in Section 5.4 is used in this analysis.
5.5.1 us23043 bridge models
Two almost identical models are created: Model 1 and Model 2. The only
difference is that Model 1 has plate elements and Model 2 has beam ele-
ments to model the cast-in-place slab.
5.5.1.1 Model 1: Slab modeled with plate elements
Model 1 is a highly detailed model of the bridge US23043. As the number
of elements is much higher than usual, accurate results are expected. This
model has beam elements for the precast AASHTO beams and diaphragms,
truss elements for the piers and the prestressing tendons, and plate elements
to simulate the cast-in-place slab. Figure 5.33 shows the 3D model that con-
tains beam, truss, and plate elements.
Although the precast AASHTO type V beams end at point “A” and are
supported at point “D,” the model supports the beams at point “B.” For the
construction periods in which the structure acts as simple spans, a joint at
point “B” is added, to admit relative rotations between the beams of the two
adjacent spans.