Abstract
Recent research showed that ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) and orthotropic steel bridge decks could be integrated to form steel-UHPC composite sections offering superior load-carrying capacity and fatigue resistance. This study investigates the effects of longitudinal stiffener types on the fatigue resistance of steel-UHPC composite sections. Three types of longitudinal stiffeners were compared, including U-ribs, bulb flat ribs, and plate ribs. Finite element analysis and full-scale fatigue tests were performed to investigate the load-carrying capacity and fatigue resistance of the composite bridge decks with different stiffeners. Besides, the proposed steel-UHPC composite bridge decks were compared with conventional orthotropic steel decks. The results show that steel box girders with bulb flat rib composite deck have reasonable fatigue resistance, construction efficiency, and economic benefits. This study is expected to promote the design and evaluation of economic steel-UHPC composite bridge decks to achieve higher mechanical performance and long-term durability.
Highlights
Orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) have been widely used in long-span bridges to bear wheel loads
This study evaluates the effects of bulb flat ribs on the loadcarrying capacity and fatigue resistance of the composite OSD through finite element analysis and experimental testing
Specific data are shown in Table 3. e comparison conclusion is as follows: (1) e stress amplitude of each fatigue detail in UHPC composite deck with U-ribs (UCD-U) and UHPC composite decks with bulb flat ribs (UCD-B) is significantly lower than that in OSD, indicating that the ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) composite deck is effective for avoiding fatigue failure
Summary
Orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) have been widely used in long-span bridges to bear wheel loads. In real-life applications, there are many factors that can cause concrete cracking, such as thermal effects and shrinkage [5,6,7] To address these limitations, ultrahighperformance concrete has been used to replace the conventional concrete in composite bridge decks [2]. In the existing studies, U-ribs were used in the steel-UHPC composite OSDs. Engineering practices show that the rigidity of the bridge decks can be greatly enhanced by the use of steel-UHPC composite sections. Is study aims to investigate the performance of steelUHPC composite OSD with open ribs To this end, this study evaluates the effects of bulb flat ribs on the loadcarrying capacity and fatigue resistance of the composite OSD through finite element analysis and experimental testing. To ensure this research is practicable for engineering practices, the Xiangtan Zhaohua Xiangjiang River Bridge in China is taken as the background bridge structure. is study is expected to promote the design and evaluation of composite bridge decks to achieve higher mechanical performance and long-term durability
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