TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

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Performance and Improvement of Texas Poor Boy Continuous Bridge Deck Details

What Was the Need?

The majority of bridges in Texas are constructed with girders as simple spans. A simple-span deck requires expansion joints which are sources for maintenance and durability issues. To avoid this, continuous decks are an attractive option, however cracks may develop. TxDOT uses a detail that intentionally forms cracks, referred to as the “Texas Poor Boy” detail. Despite a four decade history of such detailing, a comprehensive evaluation of performance of this detailing has not been conducted.

Project Summary

Researchers will conduct a multi-tiered survey to identify the performance of the current “Poor Boy” continuous bridge deck details within different environments (high ADT, high rainfall, or high deicing salt zones), as well as a literature and state-of-the practice survey to establish the detailing and expected performance of alternative connection designs. Using the results of these surveys, researchers will develop candidate modifications to the current poor-boy details for new construction and candidate details for rehabilitation of existing bridges.They will use modeling and full-scale experimental tests to assess the performance of the recommended details. The research team will use the results of modeling and experimental to make final recommendations for design methodologies and details.

Project Number

0-7013

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

6/28/2019

End Date

8/31/2023

Performing Institution(s)

Texas A & M Transportation Institute (TTI)

Research Team

Research Supervisor: Anna Birely

Sponsor

Project Manager

Martin Dassi

Contract Specialist

Tami Graham

TxDOT Advisor

Michael Hyzak, BRG
Lianxiang Du, BRG
Taya Retterer, BRG
Aaron Garza, AUS

Amount Funded

$727,298

Publications from this Project

Publications Note

For recently completed projects without publications, please contact the Research Supervisor (RS) listed in Project Details if information is needed about the status of research findings.

More TxDOT Projects Like This

Functional Area

Construction and Maintenance

Index Terms

Bridge decks
Bridge design
Cracking
Performance

Lead University

TTI

Researcher

Birely, Anna C.

TxDOT District

BRG
AUS

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Record Added:

7/23/2019

Record Updated:

1/17/2024 5:00 AM EST

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