Full depth deck panels are a viable, cost effective and time saving alternatives to cast-in place deck panels and may be used for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic rated bridges. Unlike partial depth deck panels, full-depth deck panels are designed to support the design traffic loading without additional toppings. In addition to this, full depth deck panels generally do not require tensioning of the rebar.
Continuity is achieved onsite through narrow strips of closure joints, generally filled with UHPC, with closure joint surfaces on the precast panels specially fabricated with rough and exposed aggregate finish.
In addition to the closure joints, full depth deck panels can be designed to act compositely with steel girders by the provision of special shear pockets with rough and exposed aggregate finish to allow for full or partial shear transfer between the concrete and steel girders.
Field adjustments to match with desired surface grades are achieve through the use of shim packs or specially designed levelling bolts designed to align with girder flanges.
Avantages
- Reduced Construction Time: A critical advantage of precast concrete is the ability to fabricate products offsite in precast facilities while hitherto conflicting stages of construction will simultaneously proceed onsite. This allows for the full depth panels to mature in strength without causing any additional delays onsite.
- Reduced Cost: With fabrication proceeding in advance of use of full-depth precast deck panels, repetitive use of molds/formwork can greatly reduce construction costs.
- Improved in Product Quality: As fabrication of full-depth precast deck panels are carried out in controlled environment and in discrete numbers, better quality control and assurance check can be made. In both very hot and extremely cold weather, the control of temperature is better achieved through time-tested processes in precast plants to keep concrete temperature within allowable limits. The use of well-designed molds/formworks, mostly with properly stiffened steel ensures dimensional tolerances.
- Better Crack Control: Proper layout of reinforcing bars and control of temperature in full-depth precast deck panels ensures better crack control.
- Reduced Weight: Optimization of design and construction techniques as well as the superior quality of full-depth deck panels allows for the use of thinner sections which ultimately reduces the weight of products.
- Durable Products: High quality products confirmed by both quality control and assurance processes ultimately lead to durable products.
