Design of Superstructure Elements

Effective Span Length CONCRETE DECK SLABS 139

[3.9.1]

DESIGN EXAMPLE 3.1

DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 GIVEN PARAMETERS
EXAMPLE 3.1 DET
DECK SLAB—LFD METHOD 5
The design of this slab will be performed
PROBLEM: Design the transversely reinforced concrete deck slab using Load Factor Method (LFD) of AASHTO
shown in the cross section detail below. Standard Specifications.

The top flange width is found by consult-

8" REINFORCED ing the AISC Manual of Steel Construc-
CONCRETE SLAB
1/4" PER FT. tion in the W Shapes Dimension section.

Although this bridge has a monolithic

deck with integrated wearing surface, the
design of the slab should account for a
3'-3 " 8'-0" 8'-0" 4'-0"
future wearing surface to be applied to the
deck surface.
GIVEN:
STEP 1: EFFECTIVE SPAN LENGTH
Bridge to carry two traffic lanes.
Bridge loading specified to be HS20-44. This step follows the verbiage of the
Concrete strength f´=
c
4.5 ksi. AASHTO code explicitly. This makes the
Grade 60 reinforcement fY = 60 ksi. calculation of the effective span length
Account for 25 psf future wearing surface. somewhat involved. A more direct ap-
Assume stringers are W36x150. proach is to take
Deck has integrated wearing surface
STEP 1: Compute the Effective Span Length S = Center to Center Stringers - W/2
From Table 3.7 we see that, for a slab supported on steel stringers and
continuous over more than two longitudinal supports: For slab on girder bridges with identical
stringer properties, this is a more direct
S = Distance Between Flanges + 1/2 Top Flange Width approach. For concrete girder bridges,
Top Flange Width = 12" for W36 × 150 (from AISC) = 1.0 ft
however, the effective span length is the
Distance Between Flanges = 8.0 ft − 2(1 ft / 2) = 7.0 ft
S = 7.0 ft + (0.5)(1.0 ft)
clear span length between the girder top
➠ S = 7.5 ft flanges.

3.9.1 Effective Span Length

Figure 3.22 shows a typical design strip for a reinforced concrete deck slab.
The deck is assumed to act like a beam which is continuous over its supports. In
this case, the supports are the wide flange stringers used as primary members in
the superstructure. A one-foot unit width is assumed for the design beam, with the
T he deck is assumed to act
like a beam which is con-
tinuous over its supports. In
beam running transversely (perpendicular to the primary members). this case, the supports are the
To simplify the design, a segment of the assumed slab-beam is taken and
wide flange stringers used as
analyzed as a simple span. The length of this segment is called the effective span
length. The size of the effective span length is dependent on primary members in the super-
structure.
❏ Whether the slab is continuous over more than two supports
❏ The type of supports (e.g., steel or concrete stringers)
❏ How the slab is integrated with the supports

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 Design of Superstructure Elements

Calculation of Bending Moment CONCRETE DECK SLABS 141

[3.9.2, Part 1]

DESIGN EXAMPLE 3.1

DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 2 STEP 2: COMPUTE MOMENT DUE
EXAMPLE 3.1 DET
DECK SLAB—LFD METHOD 5 TO DEAD LOAD
STEP 2: Compute Moment Due to Dead Load The dead load is taken as a distributed
load acting over the effective span length
Dead load includes slab and future wearing surface, so that the total
of the slab. The future wearing surface
dead load on the slab is
load was given as an area load which we
DL = (Thickness of Slab)(Weight of Concrete) + Future WS take to act over the 1 ft wide unit strip of
= [(8 in)(1 ft/12 in)(0.15 K/ft3) + (0.025 K/ft2)](1 ft Strip) slab (see Figure 3.22). The moment due
to dead load is computed in accordance
➠ DL = 0.125 K/ft
with Equation 3.33. If the slab is continu-
wS2 DL ⋅ S2 ( 0.125 k/ft )( 7.5 ft ) ous over more than two supports, as we
2
MDL = = = have here, be careful not to use the stan-
10 10 10
dard wL2/8 equation for a simple span
➠ MDL = 0.70 ft-kips under distributed load.

STEP 3: Compute Moment Due to Live Load + Impact STEP 3: COMPUTE MOMENT DUE
TO LIVE LOAD
Live load is computed as per Equation 3.29
Since the slab is continuous over more
 S+2   7.5 ft + 2 
than two supports, we use Equation 3.29,
MLL = 0.8   P = 0.8 ⋅   ⋅ 16 kips which has the 0.8 multiplier. The value of
 32   32 
P used is 16 kips since our live loading
➠ MLL = 3.80 ft-kips was specified to be HS20-44 (see the
variable definitions for Equation 3.28).
Impact for spans between 2 ft and 24 ft will always be 30%, so use an We computed the live load plus impact
impact factor of 1.30 to obtain moment by multiplying the live load
moment by 1.30. Another way of doing
MLL+I = (3.80 ft-kips)(1.30) this is to compute an impact only moment
➠ MLL+I = 4.94 ft-kips
by multiplying the live load moment by
0.30. Then the two moments are added
together. This way saves a step.

I f the designer so wishes, a

more exact analysis can be per-
formed using the AASHTO speci-
vary depending on whether the main reinforcement is perpendicular or parallel fied tire contact area. The contact
to the direction of traffic. Additional criteria cover bending moments for area is based on a wheel of the
cantilever slabs, slabs supported on four sides, and edge beams. The reader standard H or HS design vehicles.
should keep in mind that the AASHTO bending moment equations do not
include impact.
If the designer so wishes, a more exact analysis can be performed using
the AASHTO specified tire contact area. For the standard HS-20 or Alternative
Military Loadings, the contact area should have a length of 10 inches (in the
T he placement of main re-
inforcement perpendicular
to the direction of traffic typi-
traffic direction), and a width of 20 inches (AASHTO 3.30).
cally occurs in structures where
1. Main Reinforcement Perpendicular to Traffic. The place- the concrete deck slab rests
ment of main reinforcement perpendicular to the direction of traffic on a set of longitudinally ori-
typically occurs in structures where the concrete deck slab rests on a set of ented primary members.
longitudinally oriented primary members. The most common example of

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 Design of Superstructure Elements

Calculation of Bending Moment CONCRETE DECK SLABS 143

[3.9.2, Part 2]

DESIGN EXAMPLE 3.1

EXAMPLE 3.1 DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 3 STEP 4: COMPUTE TOTAL

DET
DECK SLAB—LFD METHOD 5 FACTORED MOMENT

STEP 4: Compute Total Factored Bending Moment The load factors are (see Table 3.2):
Mu = 1.3MDL + 2.17MLL+I = (1.30) (0.70 ft-kips) + (2.17) (4.94 ft-kips) DL = 1.3
➠ Mu = 11.63 ft-kips LL = 1.3×1.67 = 2.17

STEP 5: Compute Effective Depth of Slab STEP 5: COMPUTE EFFECTIVE

DEPTH OF SLAB
Slab depth = 8.0 in
Sacrificial surface = 0.5 in The effective depth of slab for bending
Concrete cover at bottom of slab = 1.0 in moment capacity is the distance between
#5 reinforcing steel bar diameter = 0.625 in the center of the main reinforcement and
The effective depth of slab (from center of bottom reinforcement to the the top surface of the slab. Since this deck
deck top surface):
does not have a separate wearing surface,
d = 8.0 − 0.5 − 1.0 − 0.625/2
➠ d = 6.19 in
we assume 0.5 inch of the deck on top will
be lost. We also assume a 1.0 inch
concrete cover at bottom, and #5 bars
STEP 6: Compute Required Main Reinforcement will be used.
First, try to use #5 @ 6" STEP 6: COMPUTE REQUIRED
MAIN REINFORCEMENT
As = (0.31)(12/6) = 0.62 in2
Next, we determine the actual bar spacing
A ⋅f based on an assumed #5 bar. We first try
a= S y
0.85fcb to use #5 @ 6". Readers can refer to any
reinforced concrete text books for calcu-
(0.62 in2 )(60 ksi) lating the bending moment capacity.
a= = 0.81in
0.85(4.5 ksi)(12 in) AASHTO uses the same equations as ACI
code.

(Step 6: Continued on Next Sheet)

The effective width cannot be greater than 7.0 ft (2.13 m). This value
is given for truck wheel loading. If lane loading governs, though, a width of
2E is to be used. If the slab is simply supported, AASHTO specifies
approximate maximum live load moments based on the loading conditions,
where for HS20 loading

M LL = 900S for S ≤ 50 (Eq. 3.31a)

M LL = 1000 (1.30S − 20.0 ) for 50<S < 100 (Eq. 3.31b)

where M LL = live load moment, ft-lb

S = effective span length, ft

When the slab is continuous over two or more supports, truck or lane
loads should be positioned so as to cause maximum positive and negative
moment.

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 Design of Superstructure Elements

Distribution Reinforcement CONCRETE DECK SLABS 145

[3.9.3]

DESIGN EXAMPLE 3.1

DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 4 STEP 6: COMPUTE REQUIRED
EXAMPLE 3.1 DET
DECK SLAB—LFD METHOD 5 MAIN REINFORCEMENT
STEP 6: Compute Required Main Reinforcement (Continued) (CONTINUED)

 a The moment capacity in the first try is

φMn = φAS fy  d −  39% more than the total factored moment.
 2
So we increase bar spacing by approxi-
 0.81   1  mately 33%, using #5 @ 8". By recalcu-
φMn =(0.9)(0.62)(60)  6.19 −  
 2   12  lating the moment capacity, we know that
the moment capacity is still more than
φMn = 16.14 K ⋅ FT >Mu =11.63 K ⋅ FT what is required. Therefore, #5 @ 8" will
be used for the design.
Since the reinforcement assumed is more than what is required, the
designer can reduce the amount of reinforcing steel by increasing the Like any reinforced concrete beams, the
rebar spacing to: deck should also be checked for the
minimum reinforcement requirement
 φ ⋅ Mn   16.14 
(6.0 in)   =(6.0)   = 8.3 in (AASHTO 8.17.1), and the maximum
 Mu   11.63  allowable reinforcement ratio (AASHTO
8.16.3.1).
Now, use #5 @ 8" reinforcement

12
AS = 0.31 ⋅ = 0.465 in2
8

A S ⋅ fy
a=
0.85fcb

(0.465 in2 )(60 ksi)

a= = 0.61in
0.85(4.5 ksi)(12 in)

(Step 6: Continued on Next Sheet)

To determine the amount of distribution steel required, the amount of

main reinforcement needed is multiplied by a specified percentage. This
percentage varies, depending on whether the main reinforcement is parallel or
perpendicular to the direction of traffic.
For main reinforcement perpendicular to the direction of traffic the
percentage is given as

220
Percent of Main = ≤ 67 percent (Eq. 3.34)
S

or, when the reinforcement is parallel to the direction of traffic, we use the
expression
100
Percent of Main = ≤ 50 percent (Eq. 3.35)
S

where S = effective span length, ft

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 Design of Superstructure Elements

Railing Loads CONCRETE DECK SLABS 147

[3.9.5]

DESIGN EXAMPLE 3.1

EXAMPLE 3.1 DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 5
DET STEP 7: DISTRIBUTION STEEL IN
DECK SLAB—LFD METHOD 5
BOTTOM OF SLAB
STEP 6: Compute Required Main Reinforcement (Continued) Distribution steel is computed in ac-
 a cordance with Equation 3.34. Since
φMn = φA S fy  d −  the value cannot be greater than 67
 2
percent, we use this percentage to ob-
 0.61   1  tain the 0.31 in2/ft required distribution
φMn =(0.9)(0.465)(60)  6.19 −   steel. #5 bars at a 12 in spacing gives
 2   12 
0.31 in2/ft.
φMn=12.31 K . FT > Mu=11.63 K.FT ✔ In a real design, the maximum rein-
forcement and minimum reinforcement
Note that the same reinforcement should be used for both top and should also be check. See AASHTO
bottom of the slab. 8.16.3.1 and 8.17.1 for details.

STEP 7: Compute Distribution Steel in Bottom of Slab

220 220
D= = = 80% > 67% so use 67%
S 7.5 ft
Distribution Steel = (As)(67%) = (0.465 in2/ft)(0.67) = 0.31 in2/ft

#5 Bars @ 12 in Spacing ✔

a parapet is not present, the effective length of slab resisting the post loads is
given as

E = 0.8 X + 3.75 (Eq. 3.38)

or, when a parapet is provided, the effective length of slab is defined by the
following:

E = 0.8 X + 5.0 (Eq. 3.39)

where E = effective length of slab resisting railing load, ft

X = distance from center of a post to point of analysis, ft

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