To ensure the safety of the construction workers and personnel in bridge construction areas, the proper design and detailing of bridge overhang falsework is essential. In the design of the overhang falsework systems, a problem has been identified by NCDOT design engineers. The problem is in the determination of the ultimate strength and safe working load capacity of falsework hangers on modified bulb tee (MBT) prestressed concrete girders. The hanger manufactures require 5 inches of concrete to embed the hanger and develop the strength into the flange. The MBT girders have a top flange thickness of 3 ½ inches. This results in reduced safe working loads or the use of bearing plates to distribute the forces over a larger area of the flange. The analysis procedures used by the manufactures and NCDOT to predict the strength of the hangers on MBT girders are not consistent and may have resulted in conservative and more costly falsework designs. The focus of this proposed research is to determine the ultimate strength and safe working load capacity of falsework hangers on MBT girders through full scale testing. In addition, an analytical investigation will be performed to develop analysis and design guidelines and detailing recommendations. The results of this study can be directly integrated in the NCDOT design standards for use by contractors and in-house personnel. This will result in more cost-effective falsework system designs.
