Title: Steel-Free Hybrid FRP Stiffened Panel-Concrete Deck System

Author(s): L. Cheng and V.M. Karbhari

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 230

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 631-650

Keywords: analysis; bridge deck; characterization; fiber reinforcedpolymer (FRP); finite element (FE); steel-free

DOI: 10.14359/14858

Date: 10/1/2005

Abstract:
This paper presents a design, analysis, and characterization of a hybriddeck system incorporating a thin Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) stiffened hat-panelconfigured stay-in-place formwork that serves as flexural reinforcement with steel-freeconcrete poured on top. Quasi-static tests were conducted to first investigate theflexural behavior of the system. To understand the deck performance under trafficloads that induce repetitive stress cycles during the service life, a two-span continuousdeck specimen (1.22 m wide) was tested by subjecting it to a total of 2.36 million cyclesof load that simulates an AASHTO design truck with inclusion of the impact factor atboth low and high magnitudes. The concrete-panel interfacial response due to thepresence of sand and interlocking ribs was characterized by performing a series of 610mm wide deck section tests, the results of which were used to calibrate a finite-element (FE) based analytical model. The effect of the shear span-to-depth ratio,carbon fiber reinforcement ratio, and rib spacing were then evaluated by performing aparametric study using the calibrated nonlinear FE model. A simplified design approachis also proposed.