| Structure Testing The Structure Testing Laboratory at NTRC is operated by the T Bridge Research Laboratory (TBRL) Group from the University of Tennessee (UT), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). The group has access to two lab spaces: 1) the Structure Testing Laboratory at NTRC and 2) a lab in the CEE building on the UT main campus. The group studies the behavior and design of pre-stressed concrete bridges, mechanics and applications of high-performance concrete and fiber-reinforced polymer composites, and accelerated construction in highway bridges. Current Research Projects TBRL is involved with three active research projects: cast-in-place reinforced connections for precast deck systems; design and construction guidelines for long-span decked precast, prestressed concrete girder bridges; and behavior and design of FRP-decked concrete bridges. Cast-in-Place Reinforced Connections for Precast Deck Systems This project was funded by the National Research Council (NRC) through the Transportation Research Board’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The objectives are to
The typical sequence of erecting bridge superstructures in the United States is to erect the precast prestressed concrete or steel beams, place formwork, place deck reinforcement, cast deck concrete, and remove formwork if necessary. This project focuses on systems that eliminate the need to place and remove formwork thus accelerating construction and improving safety. Long-Span Decked Precast, Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges This project, funded by NRC, addresses I-beam, bulb-tee, or multi-stemmed girders with integral decks cast and prestressed with the girder. The TBRL Group is currently developing design and construction guidelines for long-span decked precast, prestressed concrete girder bridges. This method of bridge construction is expected to reduce total construction time, reduce accident risk, and yield environmental and economic benefits.Concerns about design and construction issues have limited the use of decked precast, prestressed concrete girders. TBRL research is addressing issues such as connection methods, live load distribution, lateral load resistance, maintenance, and other factors. The resulting guidelines will be in a format suitable for consideration by the AASHTO as part of their LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. Behavior and Design of FRP-Decked Concrete Bridges at Very Cold Temperatures This research, funded by the National Science Foundation, deals with an integrated research and education plan to evaluate and develop a durable bridge system with accelerating renewal features for use in various applications and environments including very cold temperatures. The bridge system consists of glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite deck and precast/prestressed concrete I-girders. The primary objectives are understanding the synergistic effects of low temperature and low-temperature thermal cycling combined with fatigue loading on the performance of FRP composite bridge decks, quantifying the horizontal shear stiffness of typical deck-to-girder connection systems, and developing the connection design criteria based on the shear stiffness rating of the connection. Expertise Student researchers at the Structure Testing Lab are led by UT Structural Engineering Program professorial staff comprising three Ph.D.s in civil engineering, and one Ph.D. in structural engineering. The teaching staff combine expertise in probabilistic-based design and analysis of structures and field testing of structures. They are assisted by graduate and undergraduate students, and by visiting scholars. R&D Facilities Both of the TBRL Group’s lab spaces are designed to undertake a range of structural tests. Each lab contains a “strong floor” essential to the research performed. The strong floor at the Structure Testing Lab is 20 x 60 ft; the strong floor at the CEE lab is 20 x 46 ft. Both labs are equipped with overhead cranes. The facilities at the Structure Testing Lab are easily accessible through an entry 20 ft wide by 18 ft high, allowing very large structures to be brought in and assembled over the strong floor. Major equipment accessible to the TBRL group includes:
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