Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams

In this study, an innovative split precast assembly technique for bridge cap beams is proposed, and its structural performance is investigated via experimental testing and finite element analysis. A scaled (1:3.6) sample was tested to evaluate the flexural behavior, crack resistance, and ultimate ca...

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Main Authors: Zhanke Wu, Jingyu Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editorial Department of Progress in Prestress Technology, Tongji University 2025-06-01
Series:预应力技术
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ptmc.tongji.edu.cn/yyljs/article/pdf/202502001
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author Zhanke Wu
Jingyu Qiao
author_facet Zhanke Wu
Jingyu Qiao
author_sort Zhanke Wu
collection DOAJ
description In this study, an innovative split precast assembly technique for bridge cap beams is proposed, and its structural performance is investigated via experimental testing and finite element analysis. A scaled (1:3.6) sample was tested to evaluate the flexural behavior, crack resistance, and ultimate capacity of the split precast cap beam. The results indicate that the proposed technique achieves moderately reinforced flexural failure at cantilever roots with satisfactory ductility, with average crack resistance and safety reserve coefficients of 1.15 and 1.74, respectively. Strain analysis confirmed effective composite action between the precast components and the postcast strip, validating the space plane-section assumption. The experiment reveals localized stress concentrations at the beam ends and cantilever roots that require special reinforcement detailing. A nonlinear finite element model was developed and validated against test data, which showed good agreement and successfully captured behavior, including crack initiation and failure modes. The split precast technique has been successfully implemented in approximately 40 cap beams for the Outer Ring East Section traffic improvement project in Shanghai, China. The findings provide both theoretical and practical foundations for optimizing and promoting this efficient construction method in bridge engineering applications.
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language English
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publisher Editorial Department of Progress in Prestress Technology, Tongji University
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series 预应力技术
spelling doaj-art-fa687dfe5b3740439c60a24b4a4dc2222025-08-20T03:45:10ZengEditorial Department of Progress in Prestress Technology, Tongji University预应力技术2521-94802025-06-013211510.59238/j.pt.2025.02.001Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap BeamsZhanke Wu0Jingyu Qiao1 Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200092 , China Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200092 , China. In this study, an innovative split precast assembly technique for bridge cap beams is proposed, and its structural performance is investigated via experimental testing and finite element analysis. A scaled (1:3.6) sample was tested to evaluate the flexural behavior, crack resistance, and ultimate capacity of the split precast cap beam. The results indicate that the proposed technique achieves moderately reinforced flexural failure at cantilever roots with satisfactory ductility, with average crack resistance and safety reserve coefficients of 1.15 and 1.74, respectively. Strain analysis confirmed effective composite action between the precast components and the postcast strip, validating the space plane-section assumption. The experiment reveals localized stress concentrations at the beam ends and cantilever roots that require special reinforcement detailing. A nonlinear finite element model was developed and validated against test data, which showed good agreement and successfully captured behavior, including crack initiation and failure modes. The split precast technique has been successfully implemented in approximately 40 cap beams for the Outer Ring East Section traffic improvement project in Shanghai, China. The findings provide both theoretical and practical foundations for optimizing and promoting this efficient construction method in bridge engineering applications.https://ptmc.tongji.edu.cn/yyljs/article/pdf/202502001 split precast cap beam experimental study finite element analysis structural performance bridge engineering
spellingShingle Zhanke Wu
Jingyu Qiao
Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
预应力技术
split precast cap beam
experimental study
finite element analysis
structural performance
bridge engineering
title Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
title_full Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
title_fullStr Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
title_short Mechanical Performance of Novel Split Precast Cap Beams
title_sort mechanical performance of novel split precast cap beams
topic split precast cap beam
experimental study
finite element analysis
structural performance
bridge engineering
url https://ptmc.tongji.edu.cn/yyljs/article/pdf/202502001
work_keys_str_mv AT zhankewu mechanicalperformanceofnovelsplitprecastcapbeams
AT jingyuqiao mechanicalperformanceofnovelsplitprecastcapbeams