Experimental Characterization of Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete Bridge Deck System
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 20, Issue 9
Abstract
A lightweight, low-profile ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) deck system reinforced with high-strength steel (HSS) has been proposed by the authors as an alternative to open grid steel deck. The system consists of a thin slab with primary ribs spanning between girders and shallower secondary ribs, parallel to the girders, connecting the primary ribs together. Earlier studies have shown the constructability of the deck. This paper presents system development of the deck, its connections to girders and adjacent deck panels, its response to repeated loading, and its lateral distribution of live loads. The deck-to-girder connection was made as cast-in-place UHPC around welded shear connectors and was designed to resist the shear from braking forces and the uplift from wind loads. The deck-to-deck connection was made as tongue and groove to transfer the load from one panel to the other as vehicles move on the bridge. The experiments presented in this paper confirm the feasibility of the proposed deck because the panels and their connections successfully endured 2 million cycles of repeated loading with a residual strength of at least 47% higher than the target load. Further studies are needed (1) to optimize the design by further decreasing the weight of the deck, (2) to assess the effectiveness of the UHPC as wearing surface, and (3) to monitor field performance of the deck under ambient traffic and designated truck load.
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Acknowledgments
This study was sponsored by the Florida DOT (FDOT) under Contract No. BDK80 977-06, with Mr. Sam Fallaha as Project Manager. This paper is dedicated to the late Marcus Ansley, who was the first project manager on this project. The support of Lafarge North America in providing its UHPC (Ductal), and MMFX Technologies of Irvine, California, in providing its HSS bars, is greatly acknowledged. The experiments were conducted at the Titan America Structures and Construction Testing Laboratory of Florida International University, except for the fatigue test at the FDOT Marcus Ansley Structures Research Laboratory. The technical assistance of Mr. Stephen Eudy of the FDOT Structures Laboratory is greatly acknowledged. The Styrofoam formwork was prepared at the University of Central Florida. The first author would also like to acknowledge the Florida International University Graduate School for providing a Dissertation Year Fellowship to support his Ph.D. studies. The views and findings reported in this paper are those of the authors alone, and not necessarily the views of sponsoring agencies.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 20 • Issue 9 • September 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 27, 2014
Accepted: Aug 19, 2014
Published online: Sep 30, 2014
Published in print: Sep 1, 2015
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