In-Service Performance of Integral Bridges and Jointless Decks

Abstract

New York has been building integral bridges as well as jointless decks since the late 1970s. They performed well from the beginning, but a recent study evaluated their performance to identify details possibly needing improvement in future construction. Ratings obtained during a field survey of numerous integral bridges and jointless bridge abutments were analyzed, as well as condition ratings assigned by bridge inspectors during their biennial inspections. Results indicate that these bridges have been functioning as designed, but can be improved. Details needing improvement were identified and design changes implemented for future construction. The study and its results are summarized here.

Experimental investigation of soil‐structure interaction for the transition slabs of integral bridges

“…This can be somewhat misleading because if there is no joint in the bridge itself, there can be joints at other locations, e.g. at either end of the surface transition slab, as already mentioned [17], [21], [22].…”

“…This detail is common in several European countries [4], [5]. In other countries, and in several US states in particular, the traffic rides directly on the concrete surface of the bridge, and the transition slab is horizontal, the continuation of the surface of the deck, with a construction detail between its end and the pavement over the embankment (again, some kind of joint) [21], [22].…”

Effect of lap reinforcement in link slabs of highway bridges

“…It is generally more effective than integral bridge construction practices [1]. Continuity of the deck can eliminate gaps and joints between adjacent spans to assure smooth riding, noise reduction and serviceability improvement.…”

Response of a continuous, skewed, steel bridge during deck placement

“…(3) development of design criteria and procedures [29][30][31][32][33]; and (4) examination and assessment of the performance of in-service integral abutment bridges [34][35][36][37]. While there have been a number of projects focusing on the qualitative examination of in-service semiintegral and integral abutment bridges, only a few studies have placed instrumentation onto actual structures and recorded their response and only two projects [38,39] have involved study of actual structural response during construction.…”