Girder to Column connection prior to cast-in-place pour.

The Crystal Springs Parking Deck in Roanoke, VA has a 91' x 244' section at the top level which clear spans a roadway below and serves as a connecting bridge to the shopping center adjacent to the garage. Designed for the prescribed seismic loads, this 45' high free-standing "bridge" has twin 72" deep bulb-tee girders spanning 85' and supporting 60' pretopped double tees. The girders are tied rigidly to 4' square, 45' high cast-in-place columns to form moment frames over the roadway. 8" x 8'- 6" spandrels spanning 60' are also tied into the columns to create moment frames in the opposite direction as well.

Originally conceived as 20" x 87" deep ledged girders, these 150,000 lb. pieces proved cost prohibitive to transport and erect. Tindall Corporation Virginia, Division convinced the Engineer to use the bulb tee solution and CEG set about the task of designing the members and connections and detailing everything to fit. The cast-in-place joints were loaded with reinforcing; some projecting from the columns below, some from the bulb tees, some that had to be welded in place and still other that was loose and had to be fit around everything else as the final operation.

Everything fit "for the most part" and the structure was completed on time and within the budget. It was a true collaboration between Tindall and CEG and a success story for the owner.