ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

SECTION 5: CONCRETE STRUCTURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

5.1 Scope 5-3

5.4 Material Proper es 5-3
5.4.1 General 5-3
5.4.2 Normal Weight and Lightweight Concrete 5-3
5.4.2.1 Compressive strength 5-3
5.4.2.3 Creep and Shrinkage 5-4
5.4.2.4 Modulus of Elas city 5-4
5.4.3 Reinforcing Steel 5-5
5.4.4 Prestressing Steel 5-5
5.5 Limit States And Design Methodologies 5-6
5.5.4 Strength Limit States 5-6
5.5.4.2 Resistance Factors 5-6
5.6 Design For Flexural And Axial Force Effects-B Regions 5-6
5.6.2 Assump ons for Strength and Extreme Event Limit States 5-6
5.6.2.1 General 5-6
5.6.3 Flexural Members 5-6
5.6.3.2 Flexural Resistance 5-6
5.6.3.5 Deforma ons 5-6
5.6.3.5.1 General 5-6
5.6.3.5.2 Deflec on and Camber 5-7
5.6.7 Control of Cracking by Distribu on of Reinforcement 5-8
5.7 Design For Shear And Torsion - B Regions 5-8
5.7.2 General Requirements 5-8
5.7.2.4 Types of Transverse Reinforcement 5-8
5.7.3 Sec onal Design Model 5-8
5.7.3.5 Longitudinal Reinforcement 5-8
5.7.4 Interface Shear Transfer – Shear Fric on 5-8
5.9 Prestressing 5-9
5.9.1 General Design Considera ons 5-9
5.9.1.3 Sec on Proper es 5-9
5.9.2 Stress Limita ons 5-9
5.9.2.2 Stress Limita ons for Prestressing Steel 5-9
5.9.2.3 Stress Limits for Concrete 5-10
5.9.3 Prestress Losses 5-10
5.9.3.2.2 Fric on 5-10
5.9.3.3 Approximate Es mate of Time-Dependent Losses 5-11
5.9.3.4 Refined Es mates of Time-Dependent Losses 5-11
5.9.3.4.3 Losses: Time of Deck Placement to Final Time 5-11
5.9.3.4.3b Creep of girder Concrete 5-11
5.9.4 Details of Pretensioning 5-11
5.9.4.1 Minimum Spacing of Pretensioning Strand 5-11
5.9.5 Details for Post-Tensioning 5-12
5.9.5.1 Minimum Spacing of Post-tensioning Tendons and Ducts 5-12

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

5.9.5.6 Post-Tensioned Anchorage Zones 5-12

5.9.5.6.6 Special Anchorage Devices 5-12
5.10 Reinforcement 5-13
5.10.2 Hooks and Bends 5-13
5.10.2.1 Standard Hooks 5-13
5.10.3 Spacing of Reinforcement 5-15
5.10.4 Transverse Reinforcement for Compression Members 5-15
5.10.4.2 Spirals 5-15
5.10.8 Development and Splices of Reinforcement 5-15
5.10.8.2 Development of Reinforcement 5-15
5.10.8.2.1 Deformed Bars and Deformed Wire in Tension 5-15
5.10.8.2.1a Tension Development Length 5-15
5.10.8.2.1b Modifica on Factors That Increase ld 5-16
5.12 Provisions For Structure Components And Types 5-17
5.12.2 Slab Superstructures 5-17
5.12.2.1 Cast-in-Place Solid Slab Superstructures 5-17
5.12.2.2 Cast-in-Place Voided Slab Superstructures 5-17
5.12.2.3 Precast Deck Bridges 5-17
5.12.2.3.3 Shear-Flexure Transfer Joints 5-18
5.12.2.3.3f Structural Overlay 5-18
5.12.3 Beams and Girders 5-18
5.12.3.2 Precast Beams 5-18
5.12.3.3 Bridges Composed of Simple Span Precast Girders Made Con nuous 5-19
5.12.3.5 Cast-in-Place Box Girders and T-Beams 5-20
5.12.3.5.1 Flange and Web Thickness 5-20
5.12.3.5.1a Top Flange 5-20
5.12.3.5.1b Bo om Flange 5-20
5.12.3.5.1c Web 5-20
5.12.4 Diaphragms 5-22
5.13 Anchors 5-22
5.13.1 General 5-22

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

5.1 SCOPE

This Sec on contains guidelines to supplement provisions of Sec on 5, Concrete Structures, of

the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifica ons. These provisions apply to the design of bridges,
retaining walls, and other appurtenant highway structure components constructed of normal
density concrete reinforced with steel rebars, welded wire reinforcement, prestressing strands,
prestressing rebars, or prestressing wires. Concrete deck design criteria are specified in Sec on
9 of these guidelines.

Design level load ra ngs of all bridges shall be performed per The Manual for Bridge Evalua on
(MBE) latest edi on, while the stress limits for concrete shall conform to ADOT Bridge Design
Guidelines. For new bridges the design Opera ng Load Ra ng (using HL93 live load) shall be 2.0
or more. For widening of bridges, the minimum design Opera ng Load Ra ng (using HL93 live
load) shall be either the Opera ng Load Ra ng (using HL93 live load) of the exis ng bridge or
1.5, whichever is greater. If these provisions cannot be met, coordina on and approval from the
ADOT Bridge Group will be required.

5.4 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

5.4.1 General

Design should be based on the material proper es cited in these guidelines. The contract
documents shall specify the grades or proper es of all materials to be used and shall be in
conformance with the latest edi on of the ADOT Standard Specifica ons for Road and Bridge
Construc on. All structural concrete shall meet or exceed ADOT Class S requirements unless
noted otherwise.

5.4.2 Normal Weight and Lightweight Concrete

5.4.2.1 Compressive strength

For non-prestressed applica ons, concrete strength greater than 5 ksi will require ADOT
Materials and Bridge Groups approval. Lightweight concrete shall not be used as a structural
material for bridge components unless approved by ADOT Materials and Bridge Group. Normal
weight non-prestressed concrete shall have minimum compressive strengths, f´c, at 28 days as
follows:

Components f´c (ksi ) min

Decks except barriers 4.5 ksi
Bridge concrete barriers 4.0 ksi
Substructures (abutments, piers,
3.5 ksi
founda ons and drilled sha s)
All other Class ‘S’ Concrete 3.0 ksi

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

Prestressed Precast Concrete shall have a specified minimum ini al and final concrete strengths
as specified in the table below. Concrete strengths greater than shown in that table may be
used when required by design and approved by ADOT Materials and Bridge Groups.

Ini al Final
Minimum f´ci = 4.0 ksi f´c = 5.0 ksi
Maximum f´ci = 7.5 ksi f´c = 9.0 ksi

Concrete for cast-in-place post-tensioned box girder bridges shall have ini al and final concrete
strengths as specified in the table below. Concrete strengths greater than the maximum limit
may only be used when required by design and approved by ADOT Materials and Bridge Groups.

Ini al Final
Minimum f´ci = 3.5 ksi f´c = 4.5 ksi
Maximum - f´c = 5.0 ksi

Final maximum compressive stress f´c of up to 6.0 ksi for cast-in-place post-tensioned box girder
bridges may be specified for projects in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. For other
areas of the state, 6.0 ksi strength shall not be used without approval from ADOT Materials and
Bridge Groups.

5.4.2.3 Creep and Shrinkage

Creep and shrinkage of concrete, relaxa on of prestressing steel, and shrinkage of deck
composite cross sec on are me dependent events.

In determining the effects of creep and shrinkage on the loss of prestressing force, the average
annual ambient rela ve humidity, H shall be 40%, including whenever applying both
approximate and refined es mates of prestress loss calcula ons in AASHTO LRFD Ar cles 5.9.3.3
and 5.9.3.4 respec vely.

In determining the effects of creep and shrinkage on the loss of prestressing force using the
refined es mate of me dependent losses in Ar cle 5.9.3.4, the following melines of the
various stages of construc on of precast pretensioned girders made composite with a deck
topping may be assumed:

Time at Transfer = 1 day

Time at Deck Placement = 60 days
Time at Barrier Placement = 90 days
Time at Future Wearing Surface = 3650 days
Final Time of Superstructure (Service Life) = 18,250 days

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

5.4.2.4 Modulus of Elas city

Based on an assumed unit weight of concrete of wc = 0.145 kcf, the modulus of elas city, Ec, in
ksi, shall be assumed to be:

where:

f ʹc = the specified compressive strength of concrete (ksi)

For dead load calcula ons, the unit weight of structural concrete shall be wc = 0.150 kcf
to account for steel reinforcement within the concrete.

See AASHTO sec on 5.4.2.4 for formulas specific to lightweight concrete, high strength
concrete, and correc on factors for source aggregate.

5.4.3 Reinforcing Steel

All reinforcing steel shall be supplied as Grade 60 and shall be deformed bars conforming to
ASTM A615/A615M-96a, except for smooth wire spiral es. Spiral es shall be cold drawn wire
conforming to ASTM A82 (AASHTO M32).

Welded wire reinforcing shall only be used in slope paving and prefabricated panels used for
sound walls. Welded wire reinforcing shall be deformed and shall conform to ASTM A496 and
ASTM A497.

Where duc lity is to be assured or where welding is required, steel conforming to the
requirements of ASTM A706 shall be specified.

For all new bridge construc on or bridge deck replacement located above an eleva on of 4,000
feet, epoxy reinforcement shall be specified. For bridges below 4000 feet, the design engineer
shall verify with the District if de-icing chemicals are used or if corrosion instances are present
on the route and loca on. For such instances, epoxy reinforcement shall be specified.

When bridges require epoxy coated reinforcement, all reinforcement in deck slabs, barriers,
anchor slabs and approach slabs shall be epoxy coated. Any por ons of reinforcement
projec ng into the deck slabs and approach slabs, such as girder or web s rrups, and backwall
reinforcement shall also be epoxy coated.

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5.4.4 Prestressing Steel

Prestressing steel for precast prestressed members and cast-in-place post-tensioned members
shall be low-relaxa on type and have the proper es as defined in AASHTO LRFD Ar cle 5.4.4.1
and AASHTO LRFD Table 5.4.4.1-1. For most applica ons, 0.5-inch or 0.6-inch diameter strands
shall be specified for prestressed members. For cast-in-place post-tensioned bridge girders,
0.6-inch diameter strands may be used.

The yield point stress of prestressing steel, fpy shall be equal to 0.90 fpu for low relaxa on
strands, as shown in AASHTO LRFD Table 5.4.4.1-1.

5.5 LIMIT STATES AND DESIGN METHODOLOGIES

5.5.4 Strength Limit States

5.5.4.2 Resistance Factors

For tension-controlled sec ons of post-tensioned box girder bridges, the resistance factor shall
be taken as ϕ = 0.95. AASHTO LRFD Ar cle 5.5.4.2 shall be used for all other cases.

5.6 DESIGN FOR FLEXURAL AND AXIAL FORCE EFFECTS - B REGIONS

5.6.2 Assump ons for Strength and Extreme Event Limit States

5.6.2.1 General

Unbonded tendons shall not be used.

5.6.3 Flexural Members

5.6.3.2 Flexural Resistance

In determining the flexural resistance for post-tensioned box girders, neither the temperature
and shrinkage reinforcement, nor the distribu on reinforcement shall be used. In determining
the posi ve flexural resistance, the longitudinal flange reinforcing may be used, if necessary, to
reduce reinforcement conges on.

5.6.3.5 Deforma ons

5.6.3.5.1 General

Live load deflec ons shall be limited to the values shown in the following table:

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Loads Carried by the Bridge Maximum Deflec on

Vehicular Load Span / 800

Vehicular and Pedestrian Loads Span / 1000

Pedestrian Load Span / 1000

Vehicular Load on Can lever Arms Span / 300

Vehicular and Pedestrian Loads on
Span / 375
Can lever Arms
Pedestrian Load on Can lever Arms Span / 375

5.6.3.5.2 Deflec on and Camber

Post-Tensioned Box Girder:

The instantaneous deflec on shall be calculated using the dead load including barriers

but not future wearing surface, a modulus of elas city of ksi, gross
sec onal proper es, and calculated final losses.

The final long-term deflec on may be obtained by mul plying the instantaneous
deflec on by a factor of three if compression steel is not included in moment of iner a
calcula ons. For simple span bridges, an addi onal parabolic shaped deflec on with a
peak equal to 3/8 inch per 100 feet should be added to the total deflec on.

Camber and screed eleva ons shown on the plans shall be based on the final long-term
deflec on. Con nuous bridges, with some spans significantly longer than others, may
exhibit nega ve camber in the shorter spans. The final long-term deflec on shall be set
to zero in spans exhibi ng nega ve camber.

Precast Prestressed Girders and Beams:

Deflec on calcula ons for precast prestressed I-girders shall be based on a cumula ve
construc on stage analysis considering transi on of sec on proper es, maturity of
concrete, prestress losses, and transi on of the structure from simple to con nuous.
Construc on stages should be defined realis cally and the factors men oned above
should be applied appropriately according to the condi ons for each construc on stage.
The release, ini al and final deflec ons shall be shown on the plan sheets. Deflec ons
shall be shown in thousandths of a foot at the tenth points of each span.

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The release deflec on equals the deflec on the prestress girder undergoes at the me
of release of strands. This includes the deflec on due to dead load of the girder, elas c
shortening, and relaxa on of steel at transfer, The release deflec on values shall be
shown in the contract plans.

The ini al deflec on includes the deflec on due to the dead load of the girder, the ini al
prestressing and the effects of creep and shrinkage up to the me of erec on and prior
to the diaphragm or deck pours. The me of erec on should be assumed to be 60 days
a er release.

The total deflec on includes the deflec on due to the dead load of the deck,
diaphragms, barriers, and the effects of long term creep on the composite girders. The
future wearing surface shall be excluded from deflec on calcula ons.

Minimum build-up at the edge of the top flange shall be 1 inch. This minimum build-up
at the cri cal sec on will ensure that the flange of the girder will not encroach into the
gross depth of the slab.

The top of the erected girders shall be surveyed in the field prior to placement of the
deck forming. Encroachment into the slab of up to ½ inch will be allowed for random
occurrences.

Design engineers should provide a note on the plans sta ng that the bridge seat
eleva ons shall be verified by the contractor and provided to the engineer for review
prior to the erec on of the girders.

5.6.7 Control of Cracking by Distribu on of Reinforcement

Except for columns and drilled sha s, in general, for service limit state, the allowable tensile
stress in reinforcing steel, fs, shall be limited to 0.6·Fy , unless noted otherwise for specific
bridge types and structural members in these guidelines. When the Strut-and-Tie model is used
for design of structures and components, crack control provisions specified in AASHTO LRFD
Ar cle 5.6.3.6 shall be met.

5.7 DESIGN FOR SHEAR AND TORSION - B REGIONS

5.7.2 General Requirements

5.7.2.4 Types of Transverse Reinforcement

Welded wire reinforcement and anchored prestressed tendons shall not be used as transverse
shear reinforcement without approval from ADOT Bridge Group.

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5.7.3 Sec onal Design Model

Note that Nu in AASHTO LRFD Ar cles 5.7.3.4.2 and 5.7.3.5 is not the prestress force but is the
externally applied factored axial force, taken posi ve if tensile.

5.7.3.5 Longitudinal Reinforcement

AASHTO LRFD Equa on 5.7.3.5-1 shall be evaluated at each sec on where simply supported
girders are made con nuous for live loads or where longitudinal reinforcement is discon nuous.

AASHTO LRFD Equa on 5.7.3.5-2 shall be evaluated at the inside edge of the bearing area of
simple end supports to the sec on of cri cal shear (dv from the internal face of support,
AASHTO LRFD Ar cle 5.7.3.2). The values of Vu, Vs, Vp, and θ, calculated for the sec on dv from
the face of the support, may be used.

5.7.4 Interface Shear Transfer – Shear Fric on

For precast prestressed members, only the composite dead load and live load shall be
considered when calcula ng interface shear.

For all precast girders, beams and slabs, the following note shall be shown on the plans: “The
contact surface of the precast member receiving the deck or overlay shall be roughened to a
depth of approximately ¼ inch.”

Interface shear shall not be considered in the design of post-tensioned bridge members.

5.9 PRESTRESSING

5.9.1 General Design Considera ons

5.9.1.3 Sec on Proper es

Sec on proper es shall be based on gross area of members for cast-in-place post-tensioned
members. Sec on proper es shall be based on the transformed area of bonded prestressing
strand for precast prestressed members. Gross sec on proper es shall be used for deflec on
calcula ons and live load distribu on for precast prestressed members.

5.9.2 Stress Limita ons

5.9.2.2 Stress Limita ons for Prestressing Steel

For post-tensioned members, overstressing for a short period of me to offset sea ng and
fric on losses is permi ed, but the maximum allowable jacking stress for low-relaxa on strands
shall be limited to 0.78·fpu.

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For precast prestressed members, the maximum allowable jacking stress for low relaxa on
strands shall be limited to 0.75·fpu. Overstressing the prestressing steel to offset sea ng or
relaxa on before transfer losses is not permi ed.
5.9.2.3 Stress Limits for Concrete

LOAD CASES
AFTER LOSSES
BEFORE 0.5(DW+DC
TIME- +
DEPENDENT DC + SERVICE SERVICE LIMIT
PRESTRESS)
LOSSES PRESTRESS LIMIT I III
+
(LL + IM)
COMPRESSION (KSI) N/A
Any region of
a prestressed 0 (zero)
component for post-
in which tensioned for precast
prestressing boxes prestressed
causes members
N/A N/A N/A
compressive N/A for
TENSION
stresses and precast 0 (zero)
(KSI) service load prestresse for post-
effects causes d tensioned
tensile members boxes
stresses
Other
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Regions

5.9.3 Prestress Losses

5.9.3.2.2 Fric on

For mul -span bridges, the cable path should have its low point at or near mid span. Design
should be based on usage of galvanized rigid ducts with K = 0.0002 and µ = 0.25. However, µ
value of 0.15 may be used when comparing ini al force coefficient with values shown in Table
5.9.3.2.2b-1 “Fric on Coefficients for Post-Tensioning Tendons”.

Value of μ should be based on experimental data for the materials specified and shall be within
the values given in the “Fric on Coefficients for Post-Tensioning Tendons” table. In the absence
of such data, a value of μ = 0.25 may be used.

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Loss Due to Anchorage Set

where:

where:

X = anchor set length,

L = span length,
ΔL = 3/8 inch (anchor set)

5.9.3.3 Approximate Es mate of Time-Dependent Losses

Approximate es mate of me-dependent losses described in the latest edi on of AASHTO LRFD
Ar cle 5.9.3.3 shall be used to calculate long term loss of prestress forces due to shrinkage and
creep of concrete, and relaxa on of prestressing steel for all precast pretensioned conven onal
bridge design.

For girders other than those made with composite slabs, the me-dependent prestress losses
resul ng from creep and shrinkage of concrete and relaxa on of steel shall be determined using
the refined method.

For post-tensioning with 145 to 160 ksi high strength bars, loss due to relaxa on should be
based on approved test data. If test data are not available, the loss may be assumed to be 3.0
ksi.

5.9.3.4 Refined Es mates for Time-Dependent Losses

For precast pretensioned girders without a composite topping and for precast or cast-in-place
non-segmental post-tensioned girders the provisions of Ar cles 5.9.3.4.4 and 5.9.3.4.5 shall be
considered.

5.9.3.4.3 Losses: Time of Deck Placement to Final Time

5.9.3.4.3b Creep of Girder Concrete

For creep of concrete, the change in prestress due to creep of girder concrete between me of
deck placement and final me, ∆𝑓p·C·D, should be calculated using the total dead load applied
a er prestressing, including the 25 psf future wearing surface.

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5.9.4 Details of Pretensioning

5.9.4.1 Minimum Spacing of Pretensioning Strand

Center-to-center spacing of strands shall be 2 inches. The use of bundled pretensioning strands
shall not be allowed.

5.9.5 Detail for Post-Tensioning

5.9.5.1 Minimum Spacing of Post-Tensioning Tendons and Ducts

The clear distance between straight post-tensioning ducts in the ver cal direc on shall not be
less than 1 inch and the clear distance in the horizontal direc on shall follow the AASHTO LRFD
specifica ons.

The use of bundled ducts shall not be allowed. In post-tensioned box girder bridges, ducts shall
be arranged in ver cal alignments only.

5.9.5.6 Post-Tensioned Anchorage Zones

5.9.5.6.6 Special Anchorage Devices

ADOT Bridge Group will waive the tes ng requirements for the special anchorage devices
provided that these anchorage systems have been tested and approved for use by California
Department of Transporta on (Caltrans). All documenta on including the test results and the
acceptance cer ficate from Caltrans must be provided by the vendor as part of Post-Tensioned
shop drawing submi al for the special anchorage devices. Reinforcements provided must be the
same as was used by Caltrans during tes ng.

Design engineers are encouraged to communicate with the Post-Tension supplier in the design
phase to obtain recommenda ons for the minimum cover, spacing, and edge distances for an
anchorage device that may be used. This will facilitate the design of the local and the general
zones. Design engineers must show dimensions of general anchor zones in the contract plans.
The local anchor zone shall be displayed as a schema c in the contract plans. Post-Tension
supplier must show the local anchorage zone reinforcement to be supplied as a part of any
proprietary Post-Tension system (special anchorage device). Any adjustments to the general
anchorage zone tensile reinforcement due to change in the local zone dimensions shall be
considered as part of the shop drawing approval process.

Anchorage Zones

A 4ʺx 4ʺ grid of #4 reinforcing behind the anchorage plate shall be used and detailed on the
plans. When an anchorage device requires spiral, supplemental, or both, these approved
reinforcements shall be in addi on to the #4 grid. When a spiral on the end anchorage of a

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tendon conflicts with the grid system, the reinforcements in the grid may be re-spaced or cut as
required.

C-shaped reinforcing consis ng of #6 at 4ʺ spacing with 3ʹ-0 tails shall be placed along the
exterior face of the exterior web for the length of the diaphragm to aid in resis ng burs ng
stresses.

5.10 REINFORCEMENT

Please note that AASHTO LRFD specifica ons refer to main reinforcing as longitudinal
reinforcing. All other reinforcing such as spirals, es and s rrups are referred to as transverse
reinforcing.

5.10.2 Hooks and Bends

5.10.2.1 Standard Hooks

The following figures and tables shall be used:

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180° Standard Hook Dimensions for Longitudinal Reinforcement

BEND DIMENSIONS (inches)

TOTAL BAR LENGTH

BAR BAR
D C B A E ADD TO F
No. Dia.
1 HOOK 2 HOOKS
#3 0.375 2¼ 4 1/2 1½ 4 4 1/8 5 1/8 10 ¼

#4 0.500 3 2 1/2 2 4 1/2 5 1/2 6 12

#5 0.625 3¾ 2 1/2 2 1/2 5 6 7/8 6 7/8 13 ¾

#6 0.750 4 1/2 3 3 6 8¼ 8¼ 16 ½

#7 0.875 5¼ 3 1/2 3 1/2 7 9 5/8 9 5/8 19 ¼

#8 1.000 6 4 4 8 11 11 22

#9 1.128 9 4 1/2 5 5/8 10 1/8 15 7/8 14 ¾ 29 ½

#10 1.270 10 1/8 5 1/8 6 3/8 11 ½ 17 7/8 16 5/8 33 ¼

#11 1.410 11 ¼ 5 5/8 7 12 5/8 19 7/8 18 ½ 37

#14 1.693 17 6¾ 10 ¼ 17 29 3/8 25 7/8 51 ¾

#18 2.257 22 5/8 9 13 5/8 22 5/8 391/8 34 ½ 69

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

90° Standard Hook Dimensions for Longitudinal Reinforcement

BEND DIMENSIONS (inches)

TOTAL BAR LENGTH

BAR BAR
D C B A E ADD TO F
No. Dia.
1 HOOK 2 HOOKS
#3 0.375 2¼ 4 1/2 1½ 6 2 5 10

#4 0.500 3 6 2 8 2¾ 6¾ 13 ½

#5 0.625 3¾ 7 1/2 2 1/2 10 3 1/2 8 1/2 17

#6 0.750 4 1/2 9 3 12 4 1/8 10 1/8 20 ¼

#7 0.875 5¼ 10 1/2 3 1/2 14 4 3/4 11 3/4 23 1/2

#8 1.000 6 12 4 16 5 1/2 13 1/2 27

#9 1.128 9 13 1/2 5 5/8 19 1/8 8 15 7/8 31 ¾

#10 1.270 10 1/8 15 1/4 6 3/8 21 5/8 9 17 7/8 35 ¾

#11 1.410 11 ¼ 16 7/8 7 23 7/8 10 19 7/8 39 ¾

#14 1.693 16 7/8 20 3/8 10 1/8 30 1/2 14 5/8 24 7/8 49 ¾

#18 2.257 22 5/8 27 1/8 13 5/8 40 3/4 19 1/2 33 66

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

Standard Hook Dimensions for Transverse Reinforcement

BEND DIMENSIONS (inches)

BAR BAR C C E E TOTAL BAR LENGTH ADD TO F

D B
No. Dia. 90° 135° 90° 135°
1-90° 2-90° 1-135° 2-135°
1 1 1 5 1 3
#3 0.375 1½ 2¼ 2¼ 1 /8 1 /2 2 /4 2 /8 5 /4 3 /8 6 3/4

#4 0.500 2 3 3 1 1/2 2 3 3 1/2 7 4 1/2 9

#5 0.625 2½ 3 3/4 3 3/4 1 7/8 2 1/2 3 5/8 4 3/8 8 3/4 5 1/2 11

#6 0.750 4 1/2 9 4 1/2 3 4 1/8 6 1/4 10 1/8 20 ¼ 7 3/4 15 1/2

#7 0.875 5¼ 10 1/2 5 1/4 3 1/2 4 3/4 7 1/4 11 3/4 23 1/2 9 18

#8 1.000 6 12 6 4 5 1/2 8 1/4 13 1/2 27 10 1/4 20 1/2

In addi on to the above tables, development of standard hooks in tension shall follow AASHTO
LRFD Ar cle 5.10.8.2.4.

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

5.10.3 Spacing of Reinforcement

5.10.4 Transverse Reinforcement for Compression Members

5.10.4.2 Spirals

Welded wire reinforcement shall not be used as spirals. Welded splices shall meet the welding
criteria specified in AASHTO / AWS D1.5 current edi on and ADOT Standard Specifica ons for
Road and Bridge Construc on.

5.10.8 DEVELOPMENT AND SPLICES OF REINFORCEMENT

5.10.8.2 Development of Reinforcement

5.10.8.2.1 Deformed Bars and Deformed Wire in Tension

5.10.8.2.1a Tension Development Length

The table below, in addi on to subsec on 5.10.8.2.1b of these guidelines shall be used for
determining development length for deformed bars.

The values of basic development length for deformed bars in tension (inch) listed in the
following table may be used in lieu of the equa ons specified in AASHTO LRFD Ar cle
5.10.8.2.1a:

Bar Size
f’c=3.0 ksi f’c=3.5 ksi f’c=4.5 ksi f’c=5.0 ksi f’c=6.0 ksi
(fy = 60 ksi)
#3 12.0* 12.0* 12.0* 12.0* 12.0*
#4 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
#5 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0
#6 19.3 18.0 18.0 18.0 18.0
#7 26.3 24.3 21.5 21.0 21.0
#8 34.6 32.0 28.3 26.8 24.5
#9 43.8 40.6 35.8 33.9 31.0
#10 55.6 51.5 45.4 43.1 39.3
#11 68.4 63.3 55.8 52.9 48.3
#14 93.6 86.6 76.4 72.5 66.2
#18 121.3 112.3 99.0 94.0 85.8

* The calculated development length, ld, for #3 bar is 9ʺ; however, ld shall not be
less than 12” except for computa on of lap splices in tension in AASHTO LRFD
Ar cle 5.10.8.4.3a, and in calcula on of closed s rrup requirements in AASHTO
LRFD Ar cle 5.10.8.2.6d.

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5.10.8.2.1b Modifica on Factors That Increase ld

The basic development length ld shall be mul plied by the following factors, as applicable:

Modifica on Factors
Top horizontal reinforcement so placed that more than 12 inches of
1.4
fresh concrete is cast below the reinforcement.
Epoxy coated reinforcements with cover:
▪ Less than 3 reinforcing bar diameter (db) cover or 6 db
clear spacing between reinforcements 1.5*

▪ All other cases 1.2

Lateral spacing 6” with minimum 3” clear cover in the direc on of
the spacing 0.8

Excess reinforcement: (As required) (As provided) (Asreq)/(Asprov)

Enclosed within spirals ( ≥ 1/4” Ф and ≤ 4” pitch) 0.75

* The product obtained when combining the factor for top reinforcement with the applicable
factor for epoxy coated reinforcement need not be taken to be greater than 1.7.

5.12 PROVISIONS FOR STRUCTURE COMPONENTS AND TYPES

5.12.2 Slab Superstructures

5.12.2.1 Cast-in-Place Solid Slab Superstructures

For service limit state, the allowable tensile stress in reinforcing steel, fs, shall be limited to 28
ksi.

5.12.2.2 Cast-in-Place Voided Slab Superstructures

For service limit state, the allowable tensile stress in reinforcing steel, fs, shall be limited to 28
ksi.

5.12.2.3 Precast Deck Bridges

Prestressed Precast Box Beams

End Blocks:

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End blocks 18 inches long shall be provided at each end and sufficient mild reinforcing shall be
provided in the end blocks to resist the tensile forces due to the prestressing loads.

Diaphragms:

Diaphragms, cast within the beam, shall be provided at the midspan for spans up to 50 feet, at
the third points for spans from 50 to 75 feet and at quarter points for spans over 75 feet.

One lateral e shall be provided through each diaphragm located at the mid-depth of the
sec on. However, for 39-inch or deeper sec ons, when adjacent units are ed in pairs for
skewed bridges, in lieu of con nuous es, two es shall be provided, located at the third points
of the sec on depth.

Shear Keys:

A er shear keys have been filled with an approved non-shrink grout and reached a minimum
strength of 5.0 ksi , lateral es shall be placed and ghtened.

Prestressed Precast Voided Slabs

End Block:

End blocks should be 15 inches long with sufficient mild reinforcing provided to resist the tensile
forces due to concentrated prestressing loads.
Diaphragms:

Diaphragms shall be cast within the slab at midspan for spans up to 40 feet and at third points
for spans over 40 feet.

One lateral e shall be provided through each diaphragm located at the mid-depth of the
sec on.

The Engineer shall verify poten al conflicts with lateral e sleeves and prestressing strands
when harped strands are used.

5.12.2.3.3 Shear-Flexure Transfer Joints

Lateral Ties:

Each e shall consist of a 1½-inch diameter mild steel bar tensioned to 30,000 pounds. Tension
in the 1½-inch diameter mild steel should be applied by the turn of nut method. The design
engineer should determine the number of turns of the nut required to achieve the 30,000
pounds force. This value should be shown on the plans.

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

ASTM A36 steel bars for the e normally come in 20-foot lengths. The final total length of the
e should be made using threaded couplers; not welded splices. When couplers are used, the
hole through the diaphragm should be increased from the normal 2½ inches to 4 inches
diameter to accommodate the couplers.

Adequate means shall be used to ensure that the es are adequately protected from corrosion.
The rod, nut and bearing plate shall be galvanized in accordance with ASTM A153 (AASHTO
M-232).

5.12.2.3.3f Structural Overlay

For precast deck bridges, a structural concrete overlay shall be applied. The thickness of
structural concrete overlays shall be 5 inches minimum, and shall be designed for strength and
service analysis to exclude a ½” wearing surface.

5.12.3 Beams and Girders

5.12.3.2 Precast Beams

Precast prestressed girders shall be designed as simply supported beams using composite
sec on proper es for dead and transient loads. Superstructure constructed as con nuous over
intermediate supports shall be designed for transient and composite dead load. The design
should include the effects of shrinkage and creep for all strength limit states. Addi onal
non-prestressed reinforcement shall be provided in the deck slab to account for con nuity over
the intermediate supports. The design shall be based on the strength of concrete of the closure
joint. Addi onal con nuity reinforcement shall be designed per Sec on 5, AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Specifica ons including Ar cle 5.10.8.1.2c ,5.12.3.3.8 , and 5.12.3.3.9.

Precast prestressed girder spacing shall not exceed 12.0 feet center to center of girders unless
approved by ADOT Bridge Group.

Differen al shrinkage shall be considered in the design.

5.12.3.3 Bridges Composed of Simple Span Precast Girders Made Con nuous

The girders shall be designed as simply supported beams for dead load and live load plus
dynamic load allowance.

In-lieu of more refined analysis it is acceptable to use the following:

Design for 1.2·Mcr for determining the number of extended strands for the posi ve moment
connec on for simple span precast girders made con nuous. Since it is difficult to control the
dura on between cas ng of the girders and cas ng of the pier diaphragm, which has such a
large effect on the analysis, it is acceptable to limit the design force to 1.2·Mcr.

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ADOT Bridge Design Guidelines Revised 06/23

In determining the number and pa ern of strands extended, preference shall be given to
limi ng the number of strands by increasing the extension length and alterna ng the pa ern to
increase constructability. The minimum clearance of an extended strand to the end of an
adjacent girder shall be 2 inches.

STRAND PATTERN AT GIRDER END

Method of Analysis for Precast I-Girders

Sec on proper es shall be based on the transformed area of bonded prestressing strands for
precast prestressed members.

The girders shall be designed as simply supported beams for dead load and live load plus
dynamic load allowance.

Girders shall be designed using the pretensioning method only. Post-tensioned alternates shall
be used only for projects with unusual constraints when approved by ADOT Bridge Group.

Debonding shall not be allowed.

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The loca on of the harped points of the strand should be as required by design with the
preferable loca ons being near the 1/10 of the span as measured from the midspan of the
girder.

The theore cal build-up depth shall be ignored for calcula on of composite sec on proper es,
but shall be included in the DC load on the girder.

5.12.3.5 Cast-in-Place Box Girders and T-Beams

For service limit state, the allowable tensile stress in reinforcing steel, fs, shall be limited to 28
ksi.

5.12.3.5.1 Flange and Web Thickness

5.12.3.5.1a Top Flange

Minimum top flange thickness shall be 8 inches, refer to Sec on 9 of these guidelines.

5.12.3.5.1b Bo om Flange

Minimum bo om flange thickness shall not be less than 6 inches.

5.12.3.5.1c Web

Web thickness shall not be less than 12 inches (measured normal to girder for sloping exterior
webs). Exterior girders webs shall be flared to a minimum thickness of 18 inches at the
abutments. The flare length shall be 16 feet from the face of the abutment diaphragm. Interior
webs shall be constructed ver cal. A 4ʺx 4ʺ fillet shall be used at the tops of webs but is not
required at the bases.

The minimum web thickness shall be 14 inches for girders over 10.0 feet in depth.

Method of Analysis for Cast-In-Place Box Girder

Sec on proper es shall be based on gross area of members for cast-in-place post-tensioned
members.

The bo om slab, in the vicinity of the intermediate support, may be flared to increase its
thickness at the face of the support when the required concrete strength exceeds 4.5 ksi. When
thickened, the bo om slab thickness should be increased by a minimum of 50 percent. The
length of the flare should be at least one-tenth of the span length (measured from the center of
the support) unless design computa ons indicate that a longer flare is required.

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Sec on proper es at the face of the support should be used throughout the support; i.e., the
solid cap proper es should not be included in the model.

Nega ve moments should be reduced to reflect the effect of the width of the integral support.

The combina on of dead load and prestress forces should not produce any tension in the
extreme fibers of the superstructure.

Cast-in-Place mul -cell concrete box girder bridges shall be designed as one unit for the en re
cross-sec on of the superstructure. Such cross-sec ons shall be designed for live load
distribu on factors specified in AASHTO LRFD Ar cles 4.6.2.2.2 and 4.6.2.2.3 for interior girders,
mul plied by the number of girders, i.e., webs.

For box girders with severe sloping webs or boxes over 7 feet deep, transverse flange forces
induced by laterally inclined longitudinal post-tensioning shall be considered in the design.

Single span structures should be jacked from one end only. Symmetrical two span structures
may be jacked from one end or from both ends. Unsymmetrical bridges should be jacked from
the long end only or from both ends as required by the design. Three span or longer structures
should be jacked from both ends. The engineer shall state the required jacking specifica ons
and sequence on the plans.

Several prestressing systems should be checked to verify that the eccentricity and anchorage
details are acceptable. In determining the center of gravity of the strands, the difference
between the center of gravity of the strands and the center of the ducts, shall be considered.
For structures over 400 feet in length, in determining the center of gravity of the strands, the
diameter of the ducts should be oversized by ½ inch to allow for ease of pulling the strands.

For horizontally curved bridges, special care shall be taken in detailing s rrups and duct es.
Loss of prestress due to fric on should be based on both ver cal and horizontal curvatures. In
designing for horizontal curvature, the exterior web with the smallest radius shall be used. A
varia on of prestressed force not to exceed 5% per web shall be allowed provided that total
jacking force remains the same as calculated in design.

For concrete bridge widenings implemen ng Post-Tensioned Cast-In-Place girder bridges, there
shall be notes and details in the contract plans requiring a closure pour in the deck between the
new and exis ng superstructure, with a minimum wait me of 60 days a er final
post-tensioning.

5.12.4 Diaphragms

For post-tensioned box girder bridges, a single 9-inch thick intermediate diaphragm shall be
placed at the midspan. Special considera on for addi onal diaphragms shall be given to box
girders with large skews, curved boxes and boxes over seven feet in depth. Diaphragms shall be

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placed parallel to abutments and piers for skews less than or equal to 20 degrees. Diaphragms
shall be placed normal to girders and staggered for skews over 20 degrees. All diaphragms shall
be cast integral with girder webs to add lateral stability to the forming system.

For prestressed precast I-Girder bridges, a single 9-inch thick intermediate diaphragm shall be
placed at the midspan for all spans over 40 feet. For skews less than or equal to 20 degrees, the
diaphragm shall be placed parallel to the skew. For skews greater than 20 degrees, the
diaphragms shall be staggered and placed normal to the girder.

The use of intermediate steel diaphragms for precast I-Girder bridges are only allowed for use
on bridges over a railroad. Steel diaphragms shall be K-Frame and detailed to fit up with
embedded plates cast into the precast girder.

5.13 ANCHORS

5.13.1 General

Designers shall only use adhesive post-installed anchors for connec ng new elements to exis ng
concrete.

Designers shall not use adhesive anchorage systems which are constantly under significant
sustained tensile loads in ver cal overhead applica ons. Features such as overhead ligh ng
systems and conduit support applica ons for small u li es (excluding heavier elements such as
water and sewer), are acceptable given the provisions in AASHTO 5.13 are followed.

Designers shall only use cast-in-place anchors for new concrete construc on, unless otherwise
approved by Bridge Group.

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