Serviceability of Concrete Bridge Deck Slabs Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Bars

Abstract

Serviceability concerns, especially cracking and deflection, usually govern the design of reinforced concrete flexural members reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars. This work aimed to investigate the flexural behavior and serviceability performance of concrete deck slabs reinforced with different types of FRP composite bars. A total of 10 full-size, 1-way concrete slabs were constructed and tested. The slabs were 3100 mm long x 1000 mm wide x 200 mm deep. The test parameters were type and size of FRP reinforcing bars and the reinforcement ratio. Five slabs were reinforced with glass FRP (GFRP), 3 were reinforced with carbon FRP (CFRP) bars, and 2 control slabs were reinforced with conventional steel. The slabs were tested under 4-point bending over a simply supported clear span of 2500 and a shear span of 1000 mm. The test results are reported in terms of deflection, crack width, strains in concrete and reinforcement, ultimate capacity, and mode of failure. Comparison with the predictions of CAN/CSA-S806-02, CAN/CSA-S6-00 codes, and ACI 440.1R-01 design guidelines is also presented. Test results show that slabs with a CFRP or GFRP reinforcement ratio equivalent to the balanced reinforcement ratio satisfy serviceability and strength requirements of the considered design codes.