Analytical Study for Designing the Horizontal Joint of Curved PSC Box Girder Module

In this study, linear analysis using Midas Civil 2021 was performed prior to designing a horizontal joint of a large curvature precast PSC curved bridge box module. The behavior of the curved bridge according to change in cross section height and the ratio of tendon force inside the curve to tendon force outside the curve was identified through analysis. It was found that a curved bridge with a large curvature required an increase in cross section height compared with a general case and sectional force decreased when the tendon force outside the curve increased. After the linear analysis, the behavior of each joint type was identified through nonlinear analysis using ABAQUS. The safety of joints against the factored horizontal shear stress derived from the linear analysis was also evaluated. It was found that all specimens had a higher horizontal shear strength compared with the factored horizontal shear stress. However, the current design code underestimates the horizontal shear strength of a flat joint specimen with clamping steel.