Abstract
The feasibility of using welded wire fabric in concrete bridge slabs was investigated by testing 15 slabs up to their ultimate capacity. The experimental and analytical studies showed that simply supported slabs reinforced with welded wire fabric are less ductile than slabs reinforced with conventional reinforcing steel. However, slabs with partial or fixed supports have a comparable load-deflection behavior when reinforced with either type of reinforcement. The load-deflection curves were predicted by using the finite element method and an analytical method which uses the strain compatibility concepts. The experimental measurements showed that the analytical results were accurate up to the point when the concrete begins to crush. It was concluded that the reinforcement ratio, transverse wire orientation, and boundary conditions are the major factors that affect the behavior of concrete slabs reinforced with welded wire fabric.
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