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Cracking Behavior of Structural Slab Bridge Decks

Baah, Prince
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417539467

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
Bridge deck cracking is a common problem throughout the United States, and it affects the durability and service life of concrete bridges. Several departments of transportation (DOTs) in the United States prefer using continuous three-span solid structural slab bridges without stringers over typical four-lane highways. Recent inspections of such bridges in Ohio revealed cracks as wide as 0.125 in. These measured crack widths are more than ten times the maximum limit recommended in ACI 224R-01 for bridge decks exposed to de-icing salts. Measurements using digital image correlation revealed that the cracks widened under truck loading, and in some cases, the cracks did not fully close after unloading. This dissertation includes details of an experimental investigation of the cracking behavior of structural concrete. Prism tests revealed that the concrete with epoxy-coated bars (ECB) develops the first crack at smaller loads, and develops larger crack widths compared to the corresponding specimens with uncoated (black) bars. Slab tests revealed that the slabs with longitudinal ECB developed first crack at smaller loads, exhibited wider cracks and a larger number of cracks, and failed at smaller ultimate loads compared to the corresponding test slabs with black bars. To develop a preventive measure, slabs with basalt and polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete were also included in the test program. These test slabs exhibited higher cracking loads, smaller crack widths, and higher ultimate loads at failure compared to the corresponding slab specimens without fibers. Merely satisfying the reinforcement spacing requirements given in AASHTO or ACI 318-11 is not adequate to limit cracking below the ACI 224R-01 recommended maximum limit, even though all the relevant design requirements are otherwise met. Addition of fiber to concrete without changing any steel reinforcing details is expected to reduce the severity and extent of cracking in reinforced concrete bridge decks.
Anil Patnaik, Dr. (Advisor)
Craig Menzemer, Dr. (Committee Member)
William Schneider, Dr. (Committee Member)
Nao Mimoto, Dr. (Committee Member)
Xiaosheng Gao, Dr. (Committee Member)
274 p.
Engineering
Structural slab bridges, bridge deck cracking, crack widths, epoxy coated bars, load testing, chloride content

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Baah, P. (2014). Cracking Behavior of Structural Slab Bridge Decks [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417539467

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Baah, Prince. Cracking Behavior of Structural Slab Bridge Decks. 2014. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417539467.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Baah, Prince. "Cracking Behavior of Structural Slab Bridge Decks." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417539467

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1417539467
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.