Comparative Analysis and Evaluation of Two Prestressed Girder Bridges

TL;DR

This study compares two common girder types used in Florida bridges, analyzing their structural performance, cost, and reliability through finite element models and virtual load tests.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparative analysis of AASHTO Type III and Florida I-Beam girders using finite element modeling and virtual load testing.

Findings

Florida I-Beam has higher load capacity.

Florida I-Beam offers better cost efficiency.

Florida I-Beam exhibits higher lateral stiffness.

Abstract

A comparative analysis of two bridges constructed with the most commonly used girder types in Florida is carried out. The girder types that the bridges are employed for this study are AASHTO Type III (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and Florida I-Beam. Two bridges that have exactly the same specifications but with different girder type are analyzed under baseline state and different prestress loss cases. Finite element models of these bridges are utilized and the FE models are subjected to two types of virtual load tests of Florida legal loads namely C5 and SU4. Florida I-Beam tends to have higher load carrying capacity, higher lateral stiffness, cost efficiency and better element level reliability when compared to AASHTO Type girders.