Construction Stage Challenges in Balanced Cantilever Concrete Box Girder Bridges: Time-Dependent Deformation and Closure Alignment

10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Abstract

The balanced cantilever construction method enables efficient erection of prestressed concrete box girder bridges in locations where falsework is impractical; however, maintaining geometric control and achieving accurate closure alignment during construction remain critical challenges due to time-dependent material behavior. This study examines construction stage challenges in balanced cantilever concrete box girder bridges by numerically evaluating time-dependent deformation and its influence on cantilever alignment and closure sensitivity. A step-by-step finite element simulation is employed to model the sequential erection of segments, prestress application, and material aging, incorporating the effects of concrete creep and shrinkage, prestressing steel relaxation, prestress losses, loading age, and construction sequence. The results show that concrete creep governs construction-stage and long-term deflection behavior, while shrinkage and tendon relaxation contribute secondary, but measurable, effects. Sensitivity analyses indicate that segment casting intervals and loading age significantly influence differential cantilever deflections and closure alignment. Model predictions are assessed by comparing them with real-world observations, as reported in the literature. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating time-dependent analysis into construction stage planning and erection control to support camber adjustment, reduce the risk of closure misalignment, and enhance the reliability of balanced cantilever bridge construction.

Keyphrases: balanced cantilever, closure alignment, construction stages, time dependent deformation

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 664-673.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/CgxSH
	https://doi.org/10.29007/th8z

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:Construction_Stage_Challenges_Balanced,
  author    = {Saman Hedjazi},
  title     = {Construction Stage Challenges in Balanced Cantilever Concrete Box Girder Bridges: Time-Dependent Deformation and Closure Alignment},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/CgxSH},
  doi       = {10.29007/th8z},
  pages     = {664-673},
  year      = {2026}}

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