Abstract
In an effort to advance Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) practices in California, top flange failure modes of the newly developed California Wide Flange Girder (WFG) using precast deck panels (PDP) supported by polystyrene camber strips were investigated. Both sides of the top flange for two WFG specimens were tested to failure by loading the edge of the flange with a line load, which simulated loading from a PDP during construction (non-composite). The specimens used different top flange reinforcement details, namely, rebar and welded wire reinforcement (WWR). The location of the center of bearing was varied for each test to examine flange behavior, failure mode, failure location, and capacity. The two rebar specimen flanges exhibited a ductile flexural failure and a flexural-shear failure (with significant ductility), respectively; both WWR specimens demonstrated brittle shear failures with limited ductility. The failure mode depended on top flange detailing, load location, and material properties, and all stages of loading were predicted within 35%. Failure loads and modes suggest that flexural cracking of the top flange is not expected under typical construction loads. Additionally, tests confirmed that traditional concrete mechanics may be used to predict flexural and shear capacity of the top flange at various stages of response, and thus serve as a basis for design line loads. Detailed recommendations for bearing location of PDP’s on top flanges of WFG’s, size of supporting camber strip, and minimum side cover of the top flange reinforcement are provided in this report.