Design Memorandum



TO:                  All Design Section Staff

FROM:            Bijan Khaleghi
DATE:             August 12, 2006
SUBJECT:       A-Dimension Revisions


The following revisions have been made to “A” Dimension Calculations. These revisions replace the BDM article 5.7.1C as follows:

    The distance from the top of the slab to the top of the girder at centerline bearing is represented by the “A” Dimension. It is calculated in accordance with the guidance of Appendix B. This ensures that adequate allowance will be made for excess camber, superelevation, vertical and horizontal curvatures. Ideally the section at centerline of span will have the final geometry shown in Figure 5.7.1-1. Where temporary prestress strands at top of girder are used to control the girder stresses due to shipping and handling, the “A” dimension must be adjusted accordingly.

    The note in left margin of the Layout Sheet should read: “A” Dimen. = X” (not for design).

Appendix 5-B1 shall be replaced in it’s entirety with the following:

Appendix 5-B1: “A” Dimension for Precast Girder Bridges

Introduction

The girder haunch is the distance between the top of a girder and the bottom of the roadway slab. The haunch varies in depth along the length of the girder accommodating the girder camber and geometric effects of the roadway surface including super elevations, vertical curves and horizontal curves.

The basic concept in determining the required “A” dimension is to provide a haunch over the girder such that the top of the girder is less than the fillet depth (typically Ύ”) below the bottom of the slab at the center of the span. This provides that the actual girder camber could exceed the calculated value by 1Ύ” before the top of the girder would interfere with the bottom mat of slab reinforcement.

It is desirable to have points of horizontal and vertical curvature and super elevation transitions off the bridge structure as this greatly simplifies the geometric requirements on the girder haunch. However, as new bridges are squeezed into the existing infrastructure it is becoming more common to have geometric transitions on the bridge structure.

Each geometric effect is considered independently of the others. The total geometric effect is the algebraic sum of each individual effect.

Fillet Effect

The distance between the top of the girder and the top of the roadway surface, must be at least the thickness of the roadway slab plus the fillet depth.


Excessive Camber Effect

The girder haunch must be thickened to accommodate any camber that remains in the girder after slab casting. This is the difference between the “D” and “C” dimensions from the Girder Schedule Table. Use a value of 2 ½” at the preliminary design stage to determine vertical clearance.



Profile Effect

The profile effect accounts for changes in the roadway profile along the length of the girder. Profile changes include grade changes, vertical curve effects, and offset deviations between the centerline of girder and the alignment caused by flared girders and/or curvature in the alignment.

When all of the girders in a span are parallel and the span is contained entirely within the limits of a vertical and/or horizontal curve, the profile effect is simply the sum of the Vertical Curve Effect and the Horizontal Curve Effect.

The horizontal curve effect is, assuming a constant super elevation rate along the length of the span,

where S is the length of curve in feet, R is the radius of the curve in feet, and m is the crown slope. The horizontal curve effect is in inches.

The vertical curve effect is

where G is the algebraic difference in profile tangent grades (G = g2 - g1) (%), Lg is the girder length (feet), and L is the vertical curve length (feet). The vertical curve effect is in inches and is positive for sag curves and negative for crown curves.

If one or more of the following roadway geometry transitions occur along the span, then a more detailed method of computation is required:
  • change in the super elevation rate
  • grade break
  • point of horizontal curvature
  • point of vertical curvature
  • flared girders

The exact value of the profile effect may be determined by solving a complex optimization problem. However it is much easier and sufficiently accurate to use a numerical approach.

The figure below, while highly exaggerated, illustrates that the profile effect is the distance the girder must be placed below the profile grade so that the girder, ignoring all other geometric effects, just touches the lowest profile point between the bearings.

In the case of a crown curve the haunch depth may reduced. In the case of a sag curve the haunch must be thickened at the ends of the girder.

To compute the profile effect:

    1.    Create a chord line parallel to the top of the girder (ignoring camber) connecting the centerlines of bearing. The equation of this line is
                
                where

    2.   At 10th points along the span, compute the elevation of the roadway surface


    Girder Orintation Effect

    The girder orientation effect accounts for the difference in slope between the roadway surface and the top of the girder. Girders such as I-beams are oriented with their Y axis plumb. Other girders such as U-beam, box beam, and slabs are oriented with their Y axis normal to the roadway surface. The orientation of the girder with respect to the roadway surface, and changes in the roadway surface along the length of the girder (super elevation transitions) define the Girder Orientation Effect.

    If the super elevation rate is constant over the entire length of the span and the Y-axis of the girder is plumb, the girder orientation effect simplifies to the Top Width Effect,

    If there is a change in super elevation rate and/or the Y-axis of the girder is not plumb, then once again a more complex computation is required.





    "A" Dimension

    The “A” dimension is the sum of all these effects
    If a Drain Type 5 crosses the girder, “A” shall not be less than 9 inches


    Limitations

    These computations are for a single girder line. The required haunch should be determined for each girder line in the structure. Use the greatest “A” dimension.

    These computations are also limited to a single span. A different haunch may be needed for each span or each pier. For example, if there is a long span adjacent to a short span, the long span may have considerably more camber and will require a larger haunch. There is no need to have the shorter spans carry all the extra concrete needed to match the longer span haunch requirements. With the WF series girders, the volume of concrete in the haunches can add up quickly. The shorter span could have a different haunch at each end as illustrated below.


    Stirrup Length and Precast Deck Leveling Bolt Considerations

    For bridges on crown vertical curves, the haunch depth can become excessive to the point where the girder and diaphragm stirrups are too short to bend into the proper position. Similarly the length of leveling bolts in precast deck panels may need adjustment.

    Stirrup lengths are described as a function of “A” on the standard girder sheets. For example, the G1 and G2 bars of a WF74G girder are 6’-5”+ “A” in length. For this reason, the stirrups are always long enough at the ends of the girders. Problems occur when the haunch depth increases along the length of the girder to accommodate crown vertical curves and super elevation transitions.

    If the haunch depth along the girder exceeds “A” by more than 2 inches, an adjustment must be made. The haunch depth at any section can be compute


    "A" Dimension Worksheet - Simple Alignment


    Example

    Slab: Thickness = 7.5”, Fillet = 0.75”
    WF74G Girder: Wtop = 49”
    Span Length = 144.4 ft
    Crown Slope = 0.04ft/ft
    Camber: D = 7.55”, C = 2.57”
    Horizontal Curve Radius = 9500ft through centerline of bridge


    Background:

    The revised "A" dimension proposal is more suitable for the BDM and PGSuper Program. This method is completely general and should handle every prestressed girder including trapezoidal tub-girder bridge configuration. The simple method we have always used is incorporated into the text.

    If you have any questions regarding these issues, please contact Rick Brice at 705-7174 or Bijan Khaleghi at 705-7181.

    cc:   Mohammad Sheikhizadeh, Bridge Construction - 47354

           F. Posner, Bridge and Structures – 47340