Empirical deck for phased construction and widening

A standard deck is defined as a deck slab on longitudinal beams with main reinforcement placed perpendicular to traffic. As outlined in Article 9.6.1 of the AASHTO-LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, it allows three design methods or procedures of bridge decks with primary reinforcement perpendicular to the main bridge beams.;Approximate Elastic or "Strip" Method of Analysis (AASHTO 4.6.2.1) -- Traditionally bridge deck designs have always been made by analyzing assumed transverse slab strips within the concrete deck as flexure members and supported by the existing girders. This method is called the Approximate Method of Analysis. To simplify the length and complexity of the design, it is assumed that the girders are rigid supports. In addition, AASHTO specifications allow the maximum positive moment and the maximum negative moment to apply for all positive moment regions and all negative moment regions in the slab, respectively.;Refined Methods of Analysis (AASHTO 4.6.3) -- Refined Methods of Analysis are generally acceptable methods for analyzing concrete bridge decks. These methods are based mainly on finite element analysis, which requires a more complicated and lengthy set of calculations. Thus, these various methods are not typically used to analyze a standard or "typical" bridge deck. A refined analysis method would be better suited for a more complex deck slab structure, which would require a more detailed analysis.;Empirical Method of Analysis (AASHTO 9.7.2) -- Empirical Method of Analysis is generally based on the concept of internal "arching action" within concrete slab. In other words, the deck behaves more like a "continuous membrane" than a series of contiguous beams. This method takes into account in plane stresses generated by applying load to the deck. These in plane forces, which in traditional design are ignored, act to strengthen the overall response of the deck.;This design procedure is generally accepted and is widely adopted and employed by many other countries and in-state agencies. This project was initiated with the goals of assessing the current and possibly future design methodologies to be used by the Florida Department of Transportation in future bridge deck design projects. This thesis focuses on evaluating and contrasting the benefits and disadvantages of the Traditional Method of Analysis (currently in general use by the FDOT) and the empirical method of analysis. This objective is achieved by conducting a Finite Element Analysis parametric study using specialized computer software, where a typical bridge is designed and tested based on designs derived from said methods. The analysis yielded data that was then collected, analyzed and used for benchmark purposes. This study allowed an extensive range of specimens to be tested, and a broad range of loads and reinforcement combinations to be analyzed using both methodologies. From the results obtained, potential recommendations were then formulated in contrast to current design practices.