Flexural Crack Performance of the Steel–GFRP Strips–UHPC Composite Deck Structure
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 9
Abstract
Concrete cracking is one of the important factors affecting the safety and durability of composite bridge structures. While the existing crack width calculation methods cannot accurately predict the crack width of ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC), this paper aims to investigate flexural crack performance (e.g., failure mode, crack width, and crack spacing) of an innovative composite deck structure comprising an I-steel beam and glass fiber‒reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips‒UHPC composite deck. Three GFRP‒UHPC composite slabs and two steel‒GFRP strips‒UHPC composite beams are designed to explore the cracking behaviors in transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively. The effects of reinforcement ratio and the steel fiber content on flexural cracking behavior are analyzed. The results showed that increasing the reinforcement ratio restricts the formation and growth of cracks and reduces the crack width and average crack spacing in the UHPC plate. However, the impact of steel fiber content is small. The steel‒GFRP strips‒UHPC composite beams fail owing to the yield of the I-steel beam and longitudinal reinforcement bar in the UHPC plate, while the GFRP‒UHPC composite slabs collapse as a result of the yield of reinforcement bar in the UHPC plate. Based on the existing test results, the formulas are proposed to estimate the reinforcement stresses and the maximum crack width in the steel‒GFRP strips‒UHPC composite deck structure, and the findings have indicated good agreement with the measured ones.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and codes generated or used during the study appear in the published paper.
Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2019JJ50138), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (5217081979), and the General Project supported by the Education Department of Hunan Province (19C0566/22C0311). These sources are gratefully acknowledged.
Notation
The following symbols are used in this paper:
- Ac
- cross-sectional area of UHPC;
- bs
- width of the flange steel plate;
- bw
- thickness of the web;
- c
- thickness of the UHPC cover;
- d
- diameter of the reinforcement bar;
- Ec
- elastic modulus of UHPC;
- Eg
- elastic modulus of GFRP;
- Es
- elastic modulus of steel;
- F
- external load;
- fut
- tensile strength of the UHPC plate;
- hc
- thickness of the UHPC plate;
- hg
- thickness of the GFRP plate;
- hu
- thickness of UHPC where the strain has not reached the strain-hardening value;
- hs
- distance from the center of the reinforcement bar to the upper surface of the UHPC plate;
- hsy
- unyielding height of the compression side of the I-steel beam;
- htb
- thickness of the lower flange of the steel plate;
- htu
- thickness of the upper flange of the steel plate;
- h5
- distance from the neutral axis to the upper edges of the I-steel beam web;
- h6
- distance from the neutral axis to the lower edges of the I-steel beam web;
- h1, h3, h4, h7
- distance from the centroid of each component to the neutral axis, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12;
- k
- influence coefficient of thickness of UHPC cover;
- L
- horizontal distance from the loading point to the fulcrum position of the composite slab;
- L′
- calculated length of the composite beam;
- lg
- distance from the centroid of the pressure of the GFRP plate to the neutral axis;
- lcr
- average crack spacing;
- llr
- transmission length considering bonding slip;
- l2
- distance from the neutral axis to the resultant point of tensile force of the strain-hardening part, once the UHPC is cracked;
- l3
- distance from the neutral axis to the resultant point of tensile force of the elastic part, once the UHPC is cracked;
- Nc
- tensile forces of the UHPC;
- Ns
- tensile forces of the reinforcement bar;
- Nut
- axial forces of the UHPC plate in the tensile zone;
- Nsr
- axial forces of the reinforcement bar;
- Nuc
- axial forces of the UHPC plate in the compression zone;
- Ngc
- axial forces of the GFRP plate in the compression zone;
- Nuy
- axial force of strain hardening;
- Ngt
- equivalent tensile force of the GFRP plate;
- Nst
- tensile force of the upper flange plate;
- Nwt
- tensile force of the web of the I-steel beam;
- Nwc
- pressure of the web of the I-steel beam;
- Nsc
- pressure of the lower flange of the I-steel beam;
- Nt1
- axial force of the elastic parts after UHPC cracking;
- Nut2
- tensile force of the strain-hardening parts once the UHPC is cracked;
- Nut1
- tensile force of the elastic parts once the UHPC is cracked;
- Nut3
- equivalent tensile force after the UHPC layer full-section is stress hardened;
- Nsr1
- tensile force of the reinforcement bar when it was yielding;
- Nwc1
- pressure force of the I-steel beam web in the regions below the neutral axis where the stress of the I-steel beam was unyielding;
- Nwc2
- pressure force of the I-steel beam web in the regions below the neutral axis where the stress of the I-steel beam was yielding;
- Nsc1
- pressure of the lower flange of the I-steel beam when it was yielding;
- n
- number of reinforcements;
- Put
- maximum measured load;
- wsmax
- maximum crack width at the centroid of longitudinal reinforcement;
- wumax
- maximum crack width at the upper surface of the UHPC plate;
- y0
- distance from the neutral axis to the surface of the UHPC plate;
- αc
- coefficient related to the influence of concrete extension between cracks, for flexural and eccentric compression members, the value is 1.0, for eccentric tension and axial tension members, the value is 1.1, for flexural and eccentric compression members, the value is 0.77, for other members, the value is 0.85;
- αcr
- stress characteristic coefficient of the component;
- αe
- ratio of the elastic modulus of the reinforcement bar to the elastic modulus of UHPC;
- β
- coefficient of strain distribution taken as 0.6;
- strain;
- strain of the UHPC;
- average strain of the UHPC;
- strain of the reinforcement bar;
- average strain of the reinforcement bar;
- strain of the upper surface of the GFRP plate;
- strain of the reinforcement bar;
- σsr
- reinforcement stress of the cracked section;
- strain of the upper surface of the UHPC plate;
- strain of the lower surface of the GFRP plate;
- φ
- bending curvature of the section;
- κ
- reduction coefficient of tensile strength of the UHPC after cracking, this paper uses the calculation formula given in Bastien-Masse et al. (2016), taken as 0.7;
- μ
- maximum crack width corresponding to the maximum load;
- μ
- perimeter of the reinforcement;
- ρte
- effective reinforcement ratio of the UHPC;
- τl
- coefficient related to long-term effect;
- τs
- coefficient of crack width related to short-term effect, for flexural and eccentric compression members, the value is 1.66, for eccentric tension and axial tension members, the value is 1.9;
- τtm
- average bonding strength between the reinforcement bar and the UHPC;
- ωut
- midspan deflection corresponding to the ultimate load;
- ψ
- coefficient of inhomogeneity of the reinforcement strain distribution; and
- ζ
- coefficient of average crack spacing, for eccentric tensile members, the value is 1.66, and for axial tensile members, the value is 1.1.
References
AFNOR (Association française de normalisation). 2016. Concrete-ultra high performance fibre-reinforced concrete-specifications, performance, production and conformity. Jafnor-French Standard Institute, NF P 18-470, ICS: 91.100.30. Saint-Denis, France: AFNOR.
Al-Saawani, M. A., A. K. El-Sayed, and A. I. Al-Negheimish. 2017. “Crack width prediction for concrete beams strengthened with carbon FRP composites.” J. Compos. Constr. 21 (5): 04017023. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000805.
Bastien-Masse, M., E. Denarié, and E. Brihwiler. 2016. “Effect of fiber orientation on the in-plane tensile response of UHPFRC reinforcement layers.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 67: 111–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2016.01.001.
Bu, Y.-Z., X.-Y. Liu, and Q. Zhang. 2020. “Cracking load calculation for steel-UHPC composite slabs based on the section-stress method.” [In Chinese.] Eng. Mech. 37 (10): 209–217. https://doi.org/10.6052/j.issn.1000-4750.2019.12.0738.
Cao, L., D. Zeng, Y. Liu, Z. Li, and H. Zuo. 2023. “Deflection calculation method for UHPC composite beams considering interface slip and shear deformation.” Eng. Struct. 281: 115710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.115710.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2003. Design of composite steel and concrete structures, Part L‒L: General rules and rules for buildings. EN 1994-1-1 Eurocode 4. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEB-FIP. 2010. Fib Model Code for Concrete Structures (Final Complete Draft). London, UK: Comité Euro-International du Béton.
China Construction Industry Press. 2010. Code for design of concrete structures. GB 50010-2010. Beijing: China Construction Industry Press.
Choi, W., Y. Choi, and S.-W. Yoo. 2018. “Flexural design and analysis of composite beams with inverted-T steel girder with ultrahigh performance concrete slab.” Adv. Civ. Eng. 2018:1356027. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1356027.
Correia, J. R., M. M. Gomes, J. M. Pires, and F. A. Branco. 2013. “Mechanical behaviour of pultruded glass fibre reinforced polymer composites at elevated temperature: Experiments and model assessment.” Compos. Struct. 98: 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.10.051.
Deng, Z., Y. Wang, R. Xiao, M. Lan, and X. Chen. 2015. “Flexural test and theoretical analysis of UHPC beams with high strength rebars.” [In Chinese.] J. Basic Sci. Eng. 23 (1): 68–78. https://doi.org/10.16058/j.issn.1005-0930.2015.01.006.
Huang, H., W.-W. Wang, and J.-G. Dai. 2015. “Experimental study on structural performance of two-span continuous GFRP–concrete composite hollow slabs.” J. Build. Struct. 36 (10): 59–65. https://doi.org/10.14006/j.jzjgxb.2015.10.007.
Kwahk, I., J. Lee, J.-S. Kim, and C. Joh. 2012. “Evaluation of the crack width of the ultra high performance concrete (K-UHPC) structures.” J. Korean Soc. Saf. 27 (6): 99–108.
Leutbecher, T., and E. Fehling. 2012. “Tensile behavior of ultra-high performance concrete reinforced with reinforcing bars and filers: Minimizing fiber content.” Am. Concr. Inst. Struct. J. 109 (2): 253–264. https://doi.org/10.14359/51683636.
Lin, J.-P., L. Lin, Z. Peng, R. Xu, and G. Wang. 2022. “Cracking performance in the hogging-moment regions of natural curing steel–UHPC and steel–UHTCC continuous composite beams.” J. Bridge Eng. 27 (2): 04021106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001820.
Lotfy, E. M., S. M. Elaeiny, and A. M. Rashad. 2011. “Flexural capacity of one-way GFRP concrete slabs.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Constr. Mater. 164 (3): 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1680/coma.2011.164.3.143.
Luo, J., X. Shao, W. Fan, J. Cao, and S. Deng. 2019. “Flexural cracking behavior and crack width predictions of composite (steel + UHPC) lightweight deck system.” Eng. Struct. 194: 120–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.05.018.
Rahdar, H. A., and M. Ghalehnovi. 2016. “Post-cracking behavior of UHPC on the concrete members reinforced by steel rebar.” J. Comput. Concr. 18 (1): 139–154. https://doi.org/10.12989/cac.2016.18.1.139.
Shao, X., D. Yi, Z. Huang, H. Zhao, B. Chen, and M. Liu. 2013. “Basic performance of the composite deck system composed of orthotropic steel deck and ultra thin RPC layer.” J. Bridge Eng. 18 (5): 417–428. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0000348.
T/CECS (China Committee for Standardization). 2021. Standard for test method of ultra-high performance concrete. T/CECS 864-2021. Beijing: T/CECS.
Wang, K., C. Zhao, B. Wu, K. Deng, and B. Cui. 2019. “Fully-scale test and analysis of fully dry connected prefabricated steel–UHPC composite beam under hogging moments.” Eng. Struct. 197: 109380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109380.
Wang, Y., X.-D. Shao, X.-J. Shen, and J.-H. Cao. 2021. “Experiment on static and fatigue performances of steel strip-UHPC composite deck.” [In Chinese.] China J. Highw. Transp. 34 (8): 261–272. https://doi.org/10.19721/j.cnki.1001-7372.2021.08.021.
Wei, C., Q. Zhang, Z. Yang, M. Li, Z. Cheng, and Y. Bao. 2022. “Flexural cracking behavior of reinforced UHPC overlay in composite bridge deck with orthotropic steel deck under static and fatigue loads.” Eng. Struct. 265: 114537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114537.
Xiao, J.-L., M. Zhou, J.-G. Nie, T.-Y. Yang, and J.-S. Fan. 2021. “Flexural behavior of steel-UHPC composite slabs with perfobond rib shear connectors.” Eng. Struct. 245: 112912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112912.
Xu, H., and Z. Deng. 2014. “Cracking moment and crack width of ultra-high performance concrete beams.” [In Chinese.] J. Harbin Inst. Technol. 46 (4): 87–92. https://doi.org/10.11918/j.issn.0367-6234.2014.04.015.
Yoo, D.-Y., and Y.-S. Yoon. 2015. “Structural performance of ultra-high-performance concrete beams with different steel fibers.” Eng. Struct. 102: 409–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.08.029.
Zeng, D., L. Cao, Y. Liu, Z. Li, and H. Li. 2023. “Flexural response of GFRP–UHPC composite slabs under a hogging moment.” J. Bridge Eng. 28 (11): 04023082. https://doi.org/10.1061/JBENF2.BEENG-6383.
Zeng, J.-J., P. Feng, J.-G. Dai, and Y. Zhuge. 2022. “Development and behavior of novel FRP-UHPC tubular members.” Eng. Struct. 266: 114540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114540.
Zhu, Y., Y. Zhang, H. H. Hussein, and S. Cai. 2020. “Flexural study on UHPC-steel composite beams with joints under negative bending moment.” J. Bridge Eng. 25 (10): 04020084. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001619.
Zou, X., H. Lin, P. Feng, Y. Bao, and J. Wang. 2021. “A review on FRP‒concrete hybrid sections for bridge applications.” Compos. Struct. 262: 113336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.113336.
Zuo, Y., Y. Cao, Y. Zhou, and W. W. Liu. 2021. “A state-of-the-art review on hybrid GFRP‒concrete bridge deck systems.” Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2021: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5548396.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 23, 2023
Accepted: Apr 19, 2024
Published online: Jun 24, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 24, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.