Gulph Creek Stone Arch Bridge - Delaware Department of ...

Chapter 3—Historic Context for Common Historic Bridge Types
3.3.3 Reinforced Concrete T-Beams
History and Description: Despite the popularity of the cast-in-place flat-slab
bridge in some portions of the country in the early decades of the twentieth century, the
cast-in-place reinforced concrete T-Beam (or Tee beam) bridge was also widely used.
For example, according to Monuments above the Water: Montana’s Historic Highway
Bridges, 1860-1956 (26, p. 60), the T-Beam bridge was the most common bridge type in
Montana between 1912 and 1956.
The T-Beam appeared about the same time as the flat-slab span, and was more
economical for lengths in excess of about 25 feet than the concrete arch or slab. The span
length of the T-Beam was more limited than arches or trusses, however, and long
T-Beam bridges required more supporting piers or bents, thus making the type less
economical than competitive types.
When viewed on end in cross-section, the upper horizontal slab (deck section) of
this type of bridge constitutes the top of the “T,” and the lower vertical section constitutes
the stem of the “T.” When viewed in side elevation, the lower stem appears as a
longitudinal beam supporting the slab (deck). To address tension, steel rods are set in the
bottom of the stem or lower section, and steel rods are placed transverse to the stem in the
slab section. The rods of the stem and of the slab are usually tied together by U-shaped
hangers, making the slab and stem unified structural components of the T-Beam. The
slab is therefore an integral part of the beam.
The T-Beam may be constructed as a simple or continuous span, but is commonly
found in bridges of no more than 50 feet in length. The period of construction for the
T-Beam, matched closely with that of the flat-slab, began in the first decade of the
twentieth century and extended into the early 1960s, with a large number built during the
1920s and 1930s.
Prestressed T-Beam bridges are rarely historic age structures, as they were
generally not constructed until the late 1950s. A prestressed double T-Beam bridge
resembles two capital letter T’s placed side by side, when viewed in cross section, and
may appear similar to a pre-cast channel beam bridge (without diaphragms) when viewed
from underneath. An example is the 1954 Grinell Road bridge listed in the examples
below.
Significance Assessment: Reinforced concrete T-Beams are ubiquitous to
America’s highways and byways – thousands were constructed from the first decades of
the 20th century up until the 1950s and 1960s. T-Beams are one of the most common
bridge types and were amongst the early forms to be standardized by state highway
departments. The T-Beam is of moderate significance within the context of this study.
Early twentieth century T-Beams possess significance as early representative examples of
the type if they retain integrity. Character defining features that contribute to their
integrity include: slab integrated with longitudinal beams, parapet or railing when
integrated, and abutments, wingwalls or, occasionally piers.
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