Stiffness and Strength Evaluations of a Shear Connection System for FRP Bridge Decks to Steel Girders
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 15, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper reports on research investigating a nongrouted sleeve-type connection used to attach fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) decks to steel girders. The connection system was investigated for stiffness, strength, fatigue resistance, and degree of composite action. Static and fatigue tests were conducted first at the component level on push-out specimens to obtain (load-displacement) and (stress range–fatigue life) relationships, from which design formulas were developed. Then tests were conducted at the system level on a scaled-bridge model by using this sleeve-type connection, and the results showed this shear connection can satisfy requirements from AASHTO specifications for fatigue, strength, and function. Further, three-point bending tests were conducted on a T-section model cut from the scaled bridge, and approximately 25% composite action was achieved for two different connection spacings. The structural efficiency of this shear connection is shown, and this connection design is applied in practice.
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Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the NSF Partnerships for Innovation program and the WVU Research Corporation. We appreciate technical advice and testing samples provided by Dr. Jerry Plunkett of Kansas Structural Composites, Inc., Russell, Kansas.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 15 • Issue 3 • June 2011
Pages: 441 - 450
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 2, 2010
Accepted: Aug 2, 2010
Published online: Aug 4, 2010
Published in print: Jun 1, 2011
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