Experimental investigation of movable hybrid GFRP and concrete bridge deck

This paper proposed a novel cost-effective movable hybrid GFRP and concrete deck consisting of corrugated pultruded GFRP plate with T-upstands for the tension part and concrete with reinforcing bars for the compression part. First, the strength and stiffness of GFRP plate serving as formworks for concrete casting under construction stage was verified by sand filling test. Then, static tests on six full-scale models with different penetrating bars and surface treatment under sagging moments were conducted to evaluate the load-carrying capacity and failure modes of proposed hybrid deck. The load and displacement relationship, ultimate flexural resistance, strain distribution on GFRP plate and concrete slab were measured during the test. Experimental results indicated that both surface treatment and penetrating bars improve the connection between GFRP plate and concrete, and promote the ultimate strength and rigidity of hybrid deck. In addition, the concrete used for encasing corrugated pultruded GFRP plates not only increases its stiffness, but also prevents local buckling failure of the GFRP plate with T-upstands. The comparison of experimental and theoretical ultimate strength results showed ACI 440 flexure and shear equation can effectively predict the ultimate capacity for the hybrid deck. The overall investigation showed the presented hybrid GFRP and concrete concept is a better alternative for beam-and-slab bridges.

► We proposed a novel cost-effective movable hybrid GFRP and concrete deck.
► The strength and stiffness of GFRP plate serving as formworks for concrete casting was verified by sand filling test and FEA.
► Full-scale model tests under sagging moments were conducted to evaluate the load-carrying capacity and failure modes.
► Capacity prediction methods are proposed for limit states associated with flexural and shear failure.