Evaluation of Florida-I Beam Bridges with Precast Concrete Deck Panels (Non-prestressed and Prestressed)

Four (4) new bridges were constructed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to replace four (4) deteriorated bridges on U.S. Highway 90 between Tallahassee and Quincy, Florida. The new bridges were built using new construction methods which can be designated as Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) processes. This research focuses on the bridges' superstructures which were constructed using prefabricated elements from a precast concrete facility. The superstructure elements included precast pretensioned Florida-I Beams (FIB), precast pretensioned concrete deck panels and precast reinforced (non-prestressed) concrete deck panels. The two (2) westbound bridges were constructed using pretensioned concrete deck panels, whereas the two (2) eastbound bridges were constructed using reinforced concrete deck panels. The bridge panels were connected to the FIBs using a high-strength grout. Closure joints between the panels were filled with cast-in-place concrete. Before this new construction method can be adopted by the FDOT, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility, construction process, and overall structural integrity of the new bridges. Therefore, load tests took place to evaluate the similarities and differences of the two (2) different types of panels. The testing showed that they both behave similarly to each other, and that composite action between the panels and FIBs was achieved. The test results were also used to compare the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) distribution factors with those calculated from load test data. A portion of the load test focused on how much the barrier affects the overall load distribution, by load testing before and after the barriers were placed on one of the bridges.