Performances at high temperature of RC bridge decks strengthened with EBR-FRP

The relationships suggested by Italian and American codes in order to evaluate the limit strain for FRP debonding at normal temperature are modified to take into account the effect of high temperature. Then, performances at high temperature of RC bridge decks strengthened with externally bonded FRP plates (EBR) are investigated by considering thermal fields in the structural members which are different from the normal ones. Both fire and the laying of bituminous paving on the decks are considered. In addition, the thicknesses of the slabs and the protective layer are varied to assess their influence on the thermal field in the slabs. The results are discussed with reference to both ultimate and serviceability limit states.