Parametric study on precast prestressed concrete double-tee girder for rural bridges

Bridges using double-tee (DT) girders from 12 m to 15 m are one of the good choices to improve accessibility in rural areas of the Mekong River Delta. In this study, nonlinear finite element method (FEM) analysis was conducted with different constitutive laws of materials. The FEM analysis results were compared to experimental results to confirm the applicability of the constitutive laws of materials for DT girders. A parametric study through FEM analysis was then conducted to investigate the effect of span lengths, top flange depths, and a number of prestressing tendons on the capacity of DT girders in order that propose DT girders for rural bridges. Parametric results showed that the top flange depth of a DT girder for rural bridges could be 120 mm. The DT girder with a span length of 12 m or 13 m could be used 16 tendons, while the DT girder with a span length of 14 m or 15 m could be set up with 20 tendons. The prestressed concrete DT girders based on FEM results can be suggested for the construction of rural bridges.