Abstract
Bridges with reinforced concrete deck slabs are more vulnerable to environmental-induced deterioration mainly due to corrosion. Carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are getting attention as an alternative to steel bars to enhance the overall performance of the concrete bridge deck slabs and minimize corrosion-induced deteriorations. This study presents a 3D nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) simulating the response of full-scale concrete bridge deck slabs reinforced with FRP bars. A control slab model was developed initially and properly calibrated and validated against published independent experimental results. A parametric study was then conducted through creating 27 NLFEA models with different parameters: concrete compressive strength, reinforcement type (glass FRP, carbon FRP, and steel), and bottom transverse reinforcement ratio. Monotonic single concentrated load was applied at the center of the concrete deck slab over a contact area of 600 mm × 250 mm, simulating the footprint of sustained truck wheel load. The CFRP and GFRP bars reinforcement of bridge deck slabs had superior effects on the ultimate load, elastic stiffness, post cracking stiffness, elastic energy absorption and post cracking energy and a little impact on ultimate deflection compared with steel reinforcement. Punching shear failure with a very similar cracking pattern was observed almost in all slabs and the bottom transverse reinforcement ratio is the main parameter affecting the tensile strains. For all slabs reinforced with GFRP and CFRP bars, the maximum measured strains in the bars at failure were less than 50% of their ultimate strain. Increasing concrete compressive strength will increase the ultimate load capacity and corresponding deflection of the slab.
Published Version
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