Behaviour of GFRP reinforced concrete deck slabs in steel-concrete bridges

This paper presents the results of an experimental test and a numerical analysis to investigate structural behaviour of concrete bridge deck slabs reinforced with glass fibre-reinforced (GFRP) bars under static patch loads. A series of one-third scaled bridge deck models of concrete slabs supported by longitudinal steel beams were conducted and tested in the laboratory with varying structural parameters, including steel supporting sizes, reinforcement percentages, reinforcing materials, concrete compressive strengths and model storage duration. The presence of longitudinal steel beams and unloaded area of concrete slabs cause loaded deck slabs to be restrained against lateral expansion. As a result, a compressive membrane thrust is developed. The experimental results were presented in cracking pattern, deflection, strain in concrete and reinforcement, loading capacity and failure mode. It was found that compressive membrane action (CMA) inside the slabs had a beneficial influence on loading capacities and service behaviours. Thereafter, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was conducted. The proposed numerical model provided a good capability to accurately simulate behaviour of GFRP reinforced concrete bridge deck slabs.