Full-scale shear tests on post-tensioned bridge girders of existing bridges

Abstract

Many post-tensioned girders of existing bridges contain a low amount of transverse reinforcement. The shear strength of these girders, calculated according to current semi-probabilistic design codes, like Eurocode 2, is often less than that required in the codes. In this paper, the experimental results of four shear tests on post-tensioned bridge girders of existing bridges are presented. The specimens were extracted from two different road bridges, both built in 1959. In this paper, the results of this test series are used to analyse the shear behaviour and failure modes of existing posttensioned bridge structures with a low amount of shear reinforcement. Furthermore, the experimental results are compared with the shear strengths calculated according to various design codes. Finally, the shear behaviour is analysed according to the zone-based shear assessment concept with its refined shear models. The calculation results agree well with the data from the experiments.