Title:
Flexural Behavior of Simplified Hollow Slab Bridges Strengthened with UHPC under Eccentric Loading (Prepublished)
Author(s):
Zhe Wang, Yuwen Liu, Haojun Zhang, and Shan Li
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
bridge strengthening; eccentric loading; hinge joint; transverse stiffness; ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
DOI:
10.14359/51750683
Date:
4/23/2026
Abstract:
In this study, the flexural behavior of simplified hollow slab bridges strengthened with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) under eccentric loading was experimentally investigated. Three reinforced concrete beams were systematically strengthened using steel mesh reinforcement and UHPC layers to simulate the reinforcement of a hollow slab bridge. Joint failure in existing hollow slab bridges was replicated by omitting concrete at the joints. The diameter of steel mesh reinforcement and the thickness of the strengthening layer were considered as test variables. The experimental results showed a notable improvement in the flexural capacity of simplified hollow slabs strengthened under eccentric loading, accompanied by a more uniform load distribution. However, it was observed that beyond certain thresholds of strengthening layer thickness and steel mesh reinforcement diameter, further increases in these parameters yielded negligible improvements in load capacity. This was attributed to interface debonding. Furthermore, a calculation model was developed to predict the ultimate flexural capacity of the strengthened simplified slab under eccentric loading.