Structural Behavior of Bridge Deck Slabs Made with GFRP-Reinforced Lightweight Self-Consolidating Concrete

Abstract

The use of lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC) has significantly increased due to enhanced mix designs and its projected lower overall costs than normal-weight concrete. Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) has become a common alternative to conventional construction techniques. The use of LWSCC in ABC will reduce structural loads and expedite transportation and installation of precast bridge elements. Limited research, however, has investigated LWSCC bridge elements reinforced with glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. This paper reports on the performance of full-scale edge-restrained bridge deck slabs (simulating slab-on-girder bridges) fabricated with LWSCC reinforced with GFRP bars. The test specimens included three edge-restrained slabs and one unrestrained slab for comparison. The test specimens were 3,000 mm long × 2,500 mm wide × 200 mm thick and were tested up to failure under a concentrated load simulating the footprint of a standard CL-625 truck wheel load (87.5 kN) defined in current design codes. The investigated parameters were (1) reinforcement ratio; (2) top reinforcement; and (3) effect of edge-restraining. The cracking behavior, ultimate capacity, deflection, and concrete and reinforcement strains of the specimens were presented and discussed. In addition, the punching-shear capacity of the tested specimens was assessed with the currently recommended design equations. The test results indicate that the overall performance of LWSCC deck slabs reinforced with GFRP bars is similar to such structures made with normal-weight concrete.