5. Experimental testing of innovative bridge decks with reduced reinforcement and strain-hardening fiber reinforced cementitious composites

Title: 5. Experimental testing of innovative bridge decks with reduced reinforcement and strain-hardening fiber reinforced cementitious composites
Author(s): K. Chandrangsu, A.E. Naaman
Paper category : conference
Book title: 6th International RILEM Symposium on Fibre Reinforced Concretes
Editor(s): M. di Prisco, R. Felicetti and G.A. Plizzari
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-51-9
e-ISBN: 2912143748
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Pages: 69 - 80
Total Pages: 12
Nb references: 8
Language: English

Abstract: This paper describes the second phase of experimental testing of a new bridge deck system in which the top reinforcement is totally eliminated and instead, a strain-hardening fiber reinforced cement composite (or HPFRCC) is used. To simulate the bridge deck system, two-span continuous beams simulating deck slab slices were tested to failure. In phase 1, the use of Spectra fiber reinforced composites in the proposed deck system was explored. Experimental results can be found elsewhere [5, 6, 8]. For phase 2, described in this paper, the use of other types of HPFRC composites was investigated. Three different types of HPFRC composites, namely Spectra fiber, PVA fiber, and Torex fiber reinforced mortars, were studied here. Experimental results are described with the focus on serviceability, inelastic behavior, energy absorption as well as comparison with conventional AASHTO concrete deck. Based on the findings, the proposed deck system works as anticipated. With strain-hardening matrices, a plastic hinge mechanism formed under increasing load, leading to a response better than that of conventional reinforced concrete decks, even though the top reinforcement was eliminated. The proposed deck system showed higher inelastic stiffness, higher ductility and better serviceability compared to conventional reinforced concrete deck.

Online publication: 2004-08-30
Publication type : abstract_only
Public price (Euros): 0.00