Title:
The Role of Shrinkage Strains Causing Early-Age Cracking in Cast-in-Place Concrete Bridge Decks
Author(s):
Tayyebeh Mohammadi, Baolin Wan and Christopher M. Foley
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
304
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
123-140
Keywords:
shrinkage; early age; cracking; concrete; bridge deck; finite element
DOI:
10.14359/51688559
Date:
10/27/2015
Abstract:
Early-age cracking in cast-in-place reinforced concrete bridge decks is occurring more frequently now than three decades ago and principle factors that lead to early-age deck cracking are not fully understood. A finite element (FE) simulation methodology for assessing the role of shrinkage-induced strains in generating early-age bridge deck cracking is described. The simulations conducted indicate that drying shrinkage appears to be capable of causing transverse (and possibly longitudinal) bridge deck cracks as early as 9 to 11 days after bridge deck placement. The drying-shrinkage induced stresses would result in transverse cracking over interior pier supports in a typical bridge superstructure considered in the finite element simulations conducted.