Experimental study on bridge decks reinforced with GFRP rebars

ABSTRACT

Currently, FRP composites have been widely used as internal reinforcement for concrete bridge decks. However, a few experimental researches on the behavior of FRPreinforced members are available. This paper addresses the features and results of an experimental study for FRP-reinforced bridge deck conducted to examine the applicability of a newly developed GFRP rebar on concrete structures. For the test, a steel-reinforced bridge deck with length of 4,000 mm, width of 3,000 mm and thickness of 240 mm was fabricated with respect to the Korean Bridge Design Code and two decks with GFRP reinforcements instead of steel bars were also fabricated. A point load was applied to the deck specimens through a rectangular steel plate with dimensions of 231 mm × 577 mm to simulate the tire contacting area of a wheel of a design truck. The decks were supported by two steel I-beams spaced at 2,200 mm and tests were performed under static loading until failure. Comparison of the load-displacement relationships and crack behaviors observed in this test revealed that, even if the deck which has reinforcement replaced by GFRP rebars exhibited 89% of load carrying capacity of the steel-reinforced one with same reinforcement ratio and satisfied the service limit state, the GFRP-reinforced deck might be used as highway bridge decks.