Construction procedures for rapid replacement of bridge decks

Full depth precast or precast prestressed concrete bridge deck panels can be used to replace deteriorated decks. These precast elements can be supported on steel rolled beams or plate girders as well as precast prestressed or reinforced concrete girders. This system can be used advantageously to reduce construction time, hence, lowering the cost imposed by the rehabilitation process. Staged construction can be implemented to maintain traffic flow in both directions. Half of the bridge deck can be replaced while the other half remains operational. Replacement of the deck system using conventional cast-in-place concrete prolongs and interferes extensively with the flow of traffic.