PRELIMINARY DESIGN CHART PARAMETERS:

The PCBT Preliminary Design Charts are intended to assist the designer in selecting the most

economical bulb-T section for a particular beam spacing and span length. The preliminary chart

is not intended to provide a final beam design.

The PCBT Preliminary Design Charts were developed in accordance with the AASHTO LRFD 7th

Edition Specifications and VDOT Structure and Bridge IIM-S&B-80.5 VDOT Modifications to the

AASHTO LRFD 7th Edition, using LEAP Bridge Enterprise – ConSpan Version 14.00.00.19.

Design parameters used for the development of the preliminary charts include the following:

Beams are designed as simply supported, typical interior beam.

Grade 270 low relaxation seven-wire strands with a 0.6 inch diameter are used with the

standard PCBT strand grid.

PCBT concrete 28-day compressive strengths of 6 ksi, 8 ksi and 10 ksi with release strengths

equal to 0.8f’c.

A maximum of 14 draped strands can be used (7 rows of 2 strands) with drape points located

at 0.4L and 0.6L. Top draped strand draped to 6” below top of top flange to clear BL05 series

bar positions, but can be taken higher when necessary. Designers should conduct an

analysis using the strut-and-tie model to determine anchorage zone reinforcement limits for

partially draped strands [i.e., top draped strand located more than approximately 4”

(shallower beam) to 8” (deeper beam) below top of beam at end of beam].

Hold-down forces adhering to requirements found in File Nos. 12.01-7 and -8.

Non-composite dead loads include; 3” bolster, steel diaphragm uniformly distributed dead

load of 10 plf, and a 20 psf construction tolerance load.

Deck slab thickness used:

o 8-foot , 9-foot and 10-foot spacing: 8.5” (Includes 0.5” wearing surface)

o 11-foot and 12-foot spacing: 9.0” (Includes 0.5” wearing surface)

Composite dead loads include two F-Shape parapets (VDOT Standard BPB-3) distributed

equally between four beams and a 15 psf future wearing surface.

 1-foot beam end extensions beyond centerline of bearing used.

Design Live Load: HL-93

Legal Loads: as specified under Legal Loads (a, b and c) in current IIM-S&B-86

The “Approximate Method” is used in computing time dependent prestressed