Evaluate Use of 300 ksi Strands for TxDOT Prestressed Girders
PI Name: Wassim M Ghannoum
CO-PD/PI: Adolfo Matamoros, Arturo Ernest Schultz
Sponsor: TX Dept of Transportation 601
Total Funding: $849245

Advances in material and fabrication processes have allowed the prestressed strand industry to increase the grade of strands from 270 ksi to 300 ksi. Several states are incorporating this into their bridge designs to obtain longer span lengths in a given size prestressed beam.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would like to investigate the use of 300 ksi 0.6-inch diameter strands and the resultant improvements in span-carrying capability. TxDOT would also like to examine any important prestressed member behavior aspects with using prestressing strand that is stressed to a higher level of force. These aspects include bond, bursting requirements, and development/transfer. The expected benefits are more economical bridges that can span longer distances in a given depth.

 

 

Evaluating Bridge Behavior Using Ultra-High Resolution Digital Imaging
PI Name: Jassim M Ghannoum
Sponsor: TX Dept of Transportation 601
Total Funding: $83176.25

The goal of this project is to provide support and additional training to TxDOT personnel in using the DIC system developed in Project 0-6950. The system consists of two cameras, computer hardware, and a software that enables monitoring deflections down to 1/1,000th inch resolution during bridge and culvert load testing.