Bending performance of composite bridge deck with T-shaped ribs

Abstract

This paper proposes a new type of steel-concrete composite deck, which is composed of orthotropic steel deck (OSD) with T-shaped ribs, concrete plate and studs connecting OSD and concrete plate. The OSD can act as framework for concrete plate and contribute to load bearing capacity at the same time, which could save construction time. Compared with conventional OSD system, this new type of composite bridge deck can also improve fatigue performance. Considering that this type of composite deck is not yet applied in practical engineering and its mechanical performance is not revealed in previous literatures, two full-scale specimens were designed and manufactured in this research. The mechanical performance, particularly, bending capacity in positive and negative region was carefully tested and analyzed. The load-deflection curve, load-slip relation, strain distribution in concrete and steel were obtained. The test results showed that the plastic performance of this kind of composite bridge deck was satisfying and the bending capacity was high.