ABSTRACT
Structures with concrete halving joints lack redundancy and are prone to potential brittle failures, particularly with poor detailing and high stress concentration areas. In recent years, several bridge collapses have been attributed to inadequate halving joint performance. A network-level approach has identified specific issues requiring deeper comprehension for improved structural assessment and inspection protocols. This paper investigates the impact of post-tensioning on girder halving joint behavior, with a focus on post-tensioned girders on inverted T headstocks, a common network detail. “I” girders, a significant sub-category, showed structural assessment ratios below 1.0, despite limited evidence of associated cracking. This study aims to understand this anomaly and presents numerical modeling results for a post-tensioned I girder, revealing modifications to known failure mechanisms due to post tensioning and introducing an additional failure mechanism. The result of the advanced analysis creates opportunities for more optimised management of these structures.
