Arching action in concrete bridge deck slabs for increased durability and sustainability

摘要

Long span cable-stayed bridges receive global recognition and will continue to excite our imaginations because of their elegant structural form. However medium to short span bridges constitute the vast majority of road infrastructure bridges throughout Europe and the rest of the world. These vary from minor river crossings, such as the bridge described in this paper, to bridges for major roads, such as motorways, and many have a similar structural form. Reinforced concrete deck slabs are used for medium span bridge in combination with pre-cast pre-stressed concrete beams or steel girders. This paper outlines the results of tests carried out on a reinforced concrete beam and slab bridge in Northern Ireland which incorporated novel reinforcement type and position. The tests were carried out by the School of Civil Engineering, Queen's University of Belfast, in collaboration with the Department of Regional Development (DRD), Roads Service, and Northern Ireland. The research was aimed at extending previous laboratory tests on third-scale bridge deck edge panels. Some comparisons have been made with arching theory described in BD81/02 which came about as a result of previous research at Queen's University.