TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

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Develop Strong and Serviceable Details for Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bent Cap Standards That Can Be Implemented on Everyday Bridge Construction Projects

Fabrication and Placement of a Bent Cap with a Pocket Connection, from summary report

What Was the Need?

"With hundreds of new bridges constructed in Texas every year, the use of accelerated construction techniques is critical to minimizing the impact of construction on traffic. For substructures, the use of precast bent caps can significantly reduce construction time. Precast reinforced concrete (RC) caps have been used in Texas since the early 1990s, and standard connection details have been available since the early 2000s."

What's the Solution?

"This project investigated the use of pretensioned caps to eliminate or reduce cracking. An alternative connection for precast caps was developed."

Research Benefits

"Pretensioned bent caps are an attractive substructure component because they offer contractors an option for fabrication by prestressing plants and can be used to eliminate or reduce cracks... final example demonstrates how engineers can leverage the benefits of the pretensioned caps to reduce the number of column lines in a substructure, providing the potential for substantial savings in construction costs."

Project Number

0-6863

Status

Completed

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