Behaviour of bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a static and fatigue concentrated load

Innovative steel-free deck slabs and deck slabs reinforced with fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) are a solution to the problem of corrosion of internal steel reinforcement. Engineers have proposed the idea that there may be some arching-action present in bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load. An experimental research program was undertaken at the University of Manitoba to investigate this hypothesis. This paper includes the details of the experimental program required to test a full-scale innovative bridge deck with cantilevers reinforced with different top transverse reinforcing bars. The experimental results include specific information related to the static and fatigue deflection related results, strain related results, crack related results, and modes of failure. The experimental test results indicated that the static and fatigue behaviour of an unstiffened bridge deck cantilever overhang may not be completely flexural. The experimental static and fatigue destructive testing of bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load suggests that there may be the presence of arching-action. Further experimental research is required to confirm the behaviour of bridge deck cantilevers with a barrier wall subjected to a concentrated load.