Both VDOT and industry have voiced the need to evaluate the causes of over-camber, or a slight arching, in prestressed concrete beams.

This project will determine if  current design and acceptance standards for precast manufacture should be revised to better predict the behavior of prestressed beams.

It will also evaluate effect of creep and shrinkage on normal weight and specified density (including lightweight) concrete to accurately describe its influence on the recent over-camber problem.

Lastly, the research will study the effect of steam curing, particularly the rate of temperature increase, peak temperature and duration, on creep and shrinkage contribution to over-camber.