Arch Action Model for the structural assessment of existing prestressed concrete bridges

Abstract

Structural assessments of existing older prestressed concrete bridges according to the currently applicable standards and guidelines in Germany generally reveal significant deficiencies in shear reinforcement. Large‐scale tests within the scope of research activities commissioned by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) were carried out at TU Dortmund University to analyze the shear load‐bearing behavior of continuous prestressed concrete beams in more detail. The Arch Action Model (AAM) was derived from the Simplified Arch Action Model (SAAM) to provide a possible analysis method for determining shear contribution from concrete. Thus, the shear capacity of prestressed beams can be determined in a more realistic manner than using the truss model underlying the current state of standardization. The paper at hand provides information and explanations about the SAAM and AAM with regard to their application to real‐world structures for structural bridge assessments.