84 / 2022-04-16 11:02:07

Structural behavior of ECC link slabs strengthened with GFRP reinforcement

Link slabs,Engineered cementitious composites,Glass fibre reinforced polymer,Structural behavior,Nonlinear finite element,Sensitivity analysis

Deterioration of traditional mechanical expansion joints significantly affects the durability of bridge structures. Engineered cementitious composites have been proposed as an expansion joint material that can eliminate the joints in bridge decks. Six full-scale ECC link slabs reinforced with GFRP were cast and tested under monotonic cyclic loading. The parameters included reinforcement diameter and ECC fiber volume. The proposed link slabs demonstrated sufficient flexibility to meet the current design protocols. The sensitivity analysis of parameters based on linear finite element models were constructed based on the experimental data. ECC fiber volume, depth-span ratio and reinforcement ratio of such link slabs should not exceed 2.4%, 8% and 1.2%. Link slab debonding length should be larger than 4% of span length of bridge to obtain low bending stiffness.