Crack width control of precast deck loop joints for continuous steel-concrete composite girder bridges

Precast deck joints have larger crack width than cast-in-place concrete decks. The initial crack typically occurs at the maximum moment but cracks on precast joints are significant and lead to failure of the deck. The present crack equation is applied to cast-in-place decks, and requires correction to calculate the crack width of precast deck joints. This research aims to study the crack width correction equation of precast decks by performing static tests using high strength and normal strength concrete. Based on experimental results, the bending strength of the structural connections of the current precast deck is satisfied. However it is not suitable to calculate and control the crack width of precast loop connections using the current design equation. A crack width calculation equation is proposed for crack control of precast deck loop joints. Also included in this paper are recommendations to improve the crack control of loop connections.