Experimental analysis of a haunched, skewed, reinforced concrete, rigid-frame bridge model

Abstract

A one-tenth scale model of a skewed reinforced concrete rigid frame bridge was constructed and tested both within the elastic range and to ultimate load. The model was fabricated of reinforced concrete using a 1: 3.8 : 0 mix and 1/8 inch deformed reinforcing bars. A total of 57 SR-4 type AR-7 rosette gages were used to measure the strains on the surface of the concrete at selected positions. An additional 108 SR-4 type AR-7 and AR-7-4 strain gages were fastened to the steel reinforcing. Deflections were measured at 11 points of the deck and supporting reactions determined by suitable dynamometers.

The vast amount of strain data was presented in tables. Part of it was converted into stresses and these integrated to find the internal reactive forces and moments at selected sections. However, the unknown behavior of concrete in biaxial tension and difficulty in establishing the precise position of the neutral surface prevented as close a check of static equilibrium as would have been desirable.