Title: Wheel Load Distribution in Concrete Bridge Decks with FRP Stay-in-Place Forms

Author(s): C.M. Foley, B. Wan, and J. Liu

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 257

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 33-52

Keywords: bridge decks; fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP); load distribution width; stayin- place (SIP); wheel load distribution

DOI: 10.14359/20239

Date: 10/1/2008

Abstract:
The State of Wisconsin recently constructed a highway bridge as part of the FHWA Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment Program. The superstructure is composed of precast concrete I-girders acting compositely with the concrete bridge deck that uses a fiber-reinforced polymer stay-in-place (FRP-SIP) formwork system that serves as positive flexural reinforcement. In-place load test strain data are used to compute wheel load distribution widths and estimates for bending moments acting on unit widths of bridge deck. These widths are compared with those computed using the AASHTO-LRFD and AASHTO Standard specifications. The in-place field data indicate that bending moments within the deck system are reasonably close to predictions made using the Standard and LRFD specification bridge deck approximate analysis procedures. The Standard specification estimates for bending moment per unit width of bridge deck were found to be conservative for interior and exterior deck spans. The LRFD specification estimates for strip width resisting wheel loads are also conservative for interior and exterior deck spans when compared to field-measurement-based predictions.