Static and fatigue investigation of 193 generation steel free bridge decks

Abstract EN

The paper outlines the static and fatigue behavior of two different cast-in-place second generation steel-free bridge decks, which are: hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP); glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP); and steel strap design.

Although cast monolithically, the first deck slab was divided into three segments with different reinforcement configurations.

All three segments were tested under a 222 kN cyclic loading to investigate fatigue behavior.

The second bridge deck comprised an internal panel and two cantilevers and was equipped with a civionics system.

The internal panel static test that this paper deals with is useful in the development of the fatigue theory derived from fatigue testing of the first bridge deck.

Test results from the cyclic loading of the first bridge deck indicated that the cross-sectional area of reinforcement used in the test bridge deck can be reduced by 40% based on the reinforcement provided in the deck under service loads.

The hybrid system also reduced the development of longitudinal crack widths to approximately 0.4 mm under service conditions, compared to the cracks that occurred approximately halfway between adjacent bridge girders that were determined to be roughly 1 mm in several first generation steel-free bridge decks constructed in Canada.

Civionics, also discussed in the paper, is a new term coined from Civil–Electronics, which is the application of electronics to civil structures.

The Civionics Specifications (2004) developed by ISIS Canada researchers are a helpful design tool for engineers and contractors to develop civionics and structural health monitoring systems for civil infrastructure that will last the lifetime of a structure.

The use of civionics for the second test bridge deck ensured the survival of 100% of the 63 internal sensors throughout the rigors of construction and casting of the deck.