Measured Behavior of a Balanced Cantilever Erected Curved Segmental Concrete Bridge

A five span continuous precast segmental horizontally curved concrete bridge erected in balanced cantilever as part of the U.S. Highway 183 interchange with Interstate Highway 35 in Austin, Texas was instrumented with concrete strain gauge devices and thermocouples. The response of the structure was studied during erection, during a live load test, and under the actions of daily applied thermal gradients that occurred over a period of nine months. Measured data are presented and compared to calculated values. The measured data are also used to evaluate design specifications in current highway bridge codes. Observations of the construction process and comments regarding the efficiency of the construction methods used to build the bridge are presented. Recommendations concerning bridge design specifications and construction practices are also presented.