Investigation of measured prestress losses compared with design prestress losses in AASHTO Types II, III, IV, and VI bridge girders

Inaccurate prediction of prestress losses leads to inaccurate predictions for camber, deflection, and concrete stresses in a bridge girder. This study aims to improve the prediction of prestress losses and provides bridge designers with insights into the differences between design and actual concrete properties. Prestress losses, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, and creep were measured for several American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Types II, III, IV, and VI girders. The investigation revealed that the measured total prestress losses at the time of deck placement were lower than the design losses calculated using the refined estimates method of the 2017 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. This was mainly attributed to the actual concrete compressive strength at transfer being greater than the design compressive strength. This discrepancy was as high as 73% for some girders. It was also determined that the 2017 AASHTO LRFD specifications’ refined estimates method for estimating prestress losses overestimates the total prestress losses at the time of deck placement for AASHTO Types II and III girders.