Development of an Innovative Connector System for Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bridge Decks to Steel Stringers. Highway IDEA Program;Final rept

摘要

This project developed and tested a connector system for attaching fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks to supporting steel stringers. Work in the initial phase used an engineering approach to approximately define the dimensions of the connector system in relation to the expected loads and the deck and stringer dimensions followed by a finite element modeling and analysis of a preliminary design. Based on finite element parametric studies, the connector was optimized for fabricating and testing. The connector design was experimentally evaluated first by testing a single connector between a sector of FRP deck and a steel wide-flange beam. The ultimate strength of the connector was obtained, and the load slip response was defined along with an evaluation of the failure modes. The experimental results were used to redesign the connector and to make it simpler and more economical. Work in the final phase involved evaluation of the performance of the connector-stringer design for fatigue degradation under multiple loading cycles, and establishing the number of required connectors for adequate deck restraint and effective flange width for the deck/stringer system. Further refinement and evaluation of the connector system are needed for its field implementation.