Load-Deflection Behaviour of Frp Concrete Composite Deck

Abstract

Nowadays, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) concrete composite bridge deck system hasbeen introduced because of its light-weight and durability. Strong composition is neededbetween FRP and concrete to acquire the structural composite behavior of FRP concretecomposite deck. FRP has unique properties that, if disregarded, can lead to failure duringoperation. However, when these same unique properties are taken into advantages, they canprovide the engineers with a system superior to traditional metallic materials. This studyinvestigates analytically the deflection behavior of FRP concrete composite deck using shearconnectors under flexural loading. Finite element software (LUSAS) is used to model FRPcomposite deck. For this purpose, LUSAS has introduced some elements. Volume elementsare utilized to model concrete and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) section. Meshingelements are necessary in finite element in order to act as a member in modeling. 3D solidcontinuum elements are used to mesh the sample. Five GFRP module having differentthicknesses of 8mm, 9.6mm, 11.2mm, 12.8mm and 16mm are taken to analyze. Results showthat the thicknesses of GFRP module have significant effect on the ultimate load anddeflection of the deck. Once the thickness of GFRP section increased, the deflection at midspan decreased and the ultimate load increased accordingly. Furthermore, results revealed theappropriate interface material between FRP and concrete in finite element modeling. In orderto get an effective interface element, about 40 numerical models have been analyzed. Theresults were compared with experimental study. Inserted data for verified model in LUSASwere demonstrated as an appropriate interface element between FRP and concrete.