Title:
Testing of a New Composite Steel-Concrete (CSC) Bridge Deck
Author(s):
Paul F. Csagoly
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
19
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
47-53
Keywords:
bridge decks; composite construction; deflection; post-tensioning;
tests;
DOI:
Date:
2/1/1997
Abstract:
A series of laboratory tests were carried out on a near exact 75 percent scale model of a new composite steel-concrete (CSC) bridge deck at the University of Pittsburgh. The service, fatigue, and ultimate load tests were compatible with the relevant provisions of the LRFD based AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges. The prototype deck is a ribbed orthotropic plate consisting of 6.0 in. (152 mm) deep transverse flexural bars at 16.0 in. (406 mm) centers and a 3.5 in. (89 mm) deep unreinforced concrete slab. Load-carrying capacity is derived from resistance due to both flexure and internal arching, both enhanced by longitudinal post-tensioning, which also eliminates the need for shear connectors between the concrete and the reinforcing bars. The CSC deck is designed to commercially compete with all known bridge deck systems, including the traditional reinforced concrete slab. Its tested performance has exceeded expectations at all the limit states considered.