Innovative Applications of Precast Concrete to Complex Bridge Projects in Colorado

Several recent urban bridge projects with long spans and complex geometry have been designed and built with a variety of innovative applications of precast concrete girder and deck slab construction. Concrete U-girders, cast in both curved and straight segments, are spliced and posttensioned to create a new alternative approach to complex bridge construction. The U-girder has created a cross section that can be cast in curved sections. Combining this development with spliced, posttensioned construction has created a new design option for complex interchange projects. The success of these projects, which are all in service, clearly demonstrates that commercially precast concrete products can be used to construct cost-effective, complex, long-span structures in high-profile applications where aesthetics and urban geometries are a significant design consideration.