An innovative geometry control method for short-line match precast segmental bridges

The occurrence of unexpected horizontal offset in the instrument or target will result in accumulated horizontal deviation in segment alignment with traditional short-line match method. A geometry control method, the four-point method, is developed for precast segmental bridges to avoid the influences of unexpected horizontal offset. The concept of the four-point method is elucidated. Furthermore, the detailed instruments and instructions are introduced. Finally, the four-point method is validated through a practical engineering application. According to the survey data, after short-line match precast construction, the vertical deviations on both sides vary between -5 mm and 5 mm in almost all segments, and the horizontal deviations vary between -4 mm and 4 mm in all segments. Without on-site adjustment, the maximum vertical and horizontal closure gaps are 12.3 and 26.1 mm, respectively. The four-point method is suggested to alleviate the issues associated with relatively poor soil conditions in casting yard.