Effect of Intermediate Diaphragms to Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders in Over-Height Truck Impacts

The objectives of this study are three-fold: (1) develop/validate dynamic numerical finite element models to simulate the prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms, (2) perform numerical parametric study to evaluate the effect of the critical factors on design of intermediate diaphragms, and (3) provide recommendations and guidelines to better design of intermediate diaphragms to impact of over-height trucks. The conducted study aims to shed light on improved impact protection of prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms and aid the WSDOT in design, analysis, and construction of prestressed concrete bridges. The findings of this study assist in developing the specific standard of practice (such as, amendments to AASHTO standard specifications, WSDOT standard specifications, policy directives, implementation manuals, or operating procedures) for design of prestressed concrete bridge girders with intermediate diaphragms. More importantly, the proposed recommendations and guideline help the bridge engineers to make better design decisions for prestressed concrete bridges.