Full-Depth Precast Concrete Bridge Deck Construction

An alternate to cast-in-place bridge decks are prefabricated, full-depth precast concrete deck panels. These panels can be constructed off-site under controlled conditions in a precast plant and brought to the bridge site ready to be installed and connected. This requires significantly less on-site construction work and ensures minimum traffic interference. In many urban situations, a bridge can be rebuilt using night or weekend closures or staged construction to maintain traffic in both directions. The benefits of precast full-depth bridge deck panels include: durable high quality materials; minimal on-site construction and traffic disruption; increased safety for construction crews and the public; and minimal adverse economic impact due to road closures. This paper summarizes many of the findings in a “State-of-the-Art Report on Full Depth Precast Concrete Bridge Deck Panels ” [1]. This report will be published by the Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) later this year.