Structural Behavior of Full-Depth Deck Panels Having Developed Closure Strips Reinforced with GFRP Bars and Filled with UHPFRC

Abstract

The adoption of prefabricated elements and systems (PBES) in accelerating bridge construction (ABC) and rapidly replacing aging infrastructure has attracted considerable attention from bridge authorities. These prefabricated components facilitate quick assembly, which diminishes the environmental footprint at the construction site, alleviates delays and lane closures, reduces disruption for the traveling public, and ultimately conserves both time and taxpayer resources. The current paper explores the structural behavior of a reinforced concrete (RC) precast full-depth deck panel (FDDP) having 175 mm projected glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded into a 200 mm wide closure strip filled with ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Three joint details for moment-resisting connections (MRCs), named the angle joint, C-joint, and zigzag joint, were constructed and loaded to collapse. The controlled slabs and mid-span-connected precast FDDPs were statically loaded to collapse under concentric or eccentric wheel loading. The moment capacity of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars compared with the concrete slab reinforced with steel reinforcing bars was less than 15% for the same reinforcement ratio. The precast FDDPs showed very similar results to those of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars. The RC slab reinforced by steel reinforcing bars failed in the flexural mode, while the slab reinforced by GFRP bars failed in flexural-shear one.