Structural performance of continuity connection for decked bulb tee girders

Abstract

In order to minimize on-site construction, a decked bulb tee (DBT) girder with full-depth concrete deck was proposed. As usage of the precast girder has been increased, interest of connection between girders has been grown in these days. Connection detail has become a critical issue to control girder performance in terms of crack control, strength and rotation capacity of connection part. The purpose of this paper is to suggest recommendation of suitable continuity connection detail for the DBT girders and to verify structural performance of transverse connection detail. Experiment of a small scale-model of DBT girder was performed and recommended connection detail in this paper was based on experimental verification which focused on efficiency of strength, ductility and rotational capacity.