Title: The Role of Shrinkage Strains Causing Early-Age Cracking in Cast-in-Place Concrete Bridge Decks

Author(s): Tayyebeh Mohammadi, Baolin Wan and Christopher M. Foley

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 304

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 123-140

Keywords: shrinkage; early age; cracking; concrete; bridge deck; finite element

DOI: 10.14359/51688559

Date: 10/27/2015

Abstract:
Early-age cracking in cast-in-place reinforced concrete bridge decks is occurring more frequently now than three decades ago and principle factors that lead to early-age deck cracking are not fully understood. A finite element (FE) simulation methodology for assessing the role of shrinkage-induced strains in generating early-age bridge deck cracking is described. The simulations conducted indicate that drying shrinkage appears to be capable of causing transverse (and possibly longitudinal) bridge deck cracks as early as 9 to 11 days after bridge deck placement. The drying-shrinkage induced stresses would result in transverse cracking over interior pier supports in a typical bridge superstructure considered in the finite element simulations conducted.