ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Using High Performance Concrete (HPC) in prestressed concrete girders has enabled engineers to design bridges with longer span lengths and fewer supports, shallower sections, and increased girder spacing, which can decrease the fabrication, transportation, and erection costs of the bridge. However, despite the wide current use of HPC, there are still factors that need to be further considered. The design of a prestressed concrete girder is highly dependent on the amount of prestress loss expected over a period of time. Current methods to empirically estimate these losses were developed for conventional concrete and have not yet been modified for HPC. Those methods need to be reevaluated for HPC. Another factor that needs further consideration when using HPC is camber. Camber is an important serviceability consideration in the design of prestressed bridge girders. Both material properties and structural parameters influence girder camber. Current simplified methods of camber prediction, such as the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) multiplier method and the PCI improved multiplier method were developed for regular strength concrete and need to be further evaluated for HPC.
