Stress reduction effects of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete overlaid steel bridge deck developed with a new interfacial bond method

• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127104
• Publication Date: 2022-03-12T16:42:53Z
• Authors: Pengru Deng; Hongji Mi; Hiroshi Mitamura; Takashi Matsumoto
• Keywords: FEM; Interfacial bond; 0211 other engineering and technologies; 511; Stress reduction; 02 engineering and technology; UHPFRC; Steel bridge deck

The effects of a 25 mm of UHPFRC overlay on reducing the stress of the open ribs-stiffened orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) are assessed experimentally and analytically. To integrate the UHPFRC overlay and the OSDs, an adhesive-based bonding technique is developed and evaluated beforehand using a pull-off test and a three-point bending test, where a 3 MPa of excellent bond strength and an invisible slip demonstrate the reliability of the technique. With the developed bonding technique, an up to 80% of strain reduction and a peak clipping phenomenon are observed in the strain of the critical locations of the steel deck and structural members in the hotspot areas due to the UHPFRC. In addition, it is found that the superior high strengths and the strain hardening of UHPFRC can postpone the initiation and propagation of cracks. As a result, an effective enhancement of stiffness of OSDs and an apparent fatigue life extension can be achieved even with a thin layer.