The four-year project undertook comprehensive investigations into the performance of deck unit (DU) bridges. DU bridges comprise simply-supported spans of rectangular prestressed concrete hollow units, tied by transverse stressing bars (TSBs). Standard numerical assessment of DU bridges has flagged inadequate capacity, while no significant signs of distress have been identified. The project was, therefore, carried out to address the disparities between theoretical assessments and the actual behaviour of this bridge type. In particular, the project’s test program included: load testing of DU bridges in operational condition (Year 1); assessment of the ultimate capacity of individual DUs and kerb units (KUs) (Year 2); performance and ultimate load testing of a partial DU bridge re-assembled from salvaged DUs in a laboratory (Year 3 and Year 4). An additional task was undertaken on a real-life DU bridge to investigate the effects of TSB damage on the structural performance of the bridge (Year 4).
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