Abstract
The main challenge for realizing competitive hybrid steel-FRP structures, such as bridges, carparks, is to make the steel and FRP components work together. In this study shear resistance, stiffness and ductility of three types of demountable bolted shear connectors are examined. Two blind-bolted M20 shear connectors and a novel, injected steel-reinforced resin (SRR) connection are selected to perform push-out experiments in web-core FRP decks. Failure modes of excessive bearing in FRP and bolt shear failure for blind-bolted and injected connectors, respectively, are identified. Nonlinear, highly detailed finite element (FE) models were also built and validated by results of the push-out tests to provide insights to the load-transfer mechanism. Analysis of internal forces and deformation through FE results reveals that blind bolted shear connectors provide high shear resistance and slip capacity thanks to the shear sleeves and catenary effects. The injected SRR connector shows distinct and centric load transfer owing to gapless design.
Highlights
Hybrid bridges composed of FRP deck elements fastened or adhesively joined to the primary steel girders can be a competitive solution to reduce maintenance costs of bridge infrastructure
Hybrid interaction enabled the increase of failure load by 52% and 56% for ASSET girders and DuraSpan girders respectively, while the deflections at serviceability limit state (SLS) reduced by 50% in case of ASSET deck, and 23% in case of DuraSpan deck compared to the reference steel beam
The aim of this paper is to investigate the mechanical and functional performance and shear resistance of demountable bolted connectors for FRP decks
Summary
Hybrid bridges composed of FRP deck elements fastened or adhesively joined to the primary steel girders can be a competitive solution to reduce maintenance costs of bridge infrastructure. Steel‐FRP bridges can be designed by either exploiting or neglecting hybrid interaction between the FRP deck and steel girders. Due to lack of knowledge on interaction and sound solutions for shear connection between FRP deck and steel structure, several pioneering examples of traffic steel‐FRP bridges are designed conservatively by excluding hybrid interaction [1,2,3]. Allowing constant slip between the FRP deck and steel girders due to traffic load on bridges can result in wear of materials and unpredictable fatigue behaviour of the connection detail. Hybrid interaction on the other hand will lead to unwanted internal stresses due to readily higher thermal expansion coefficient of the FRP deck vs steel girders which is the motivation to use slip connectors with slotted holes in most of up‐to‐date applications. Regardless providing the hybrid interaction or not, the key for successful application of FRP decks in such bridges lies in predictable and reliable connection details
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