Orthotropic steel bridge deck study with UHPFRC cold composite overlay

This paper propose that steel bridge deck reinforced by UHPFRC (ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete) overlay on deck plate with cold composite design method. Sustainable and reliable composite design between steel plate and UHPFRC is a significant factor to ensure expected structural performance of steel and UHPFRC composite element. Test and numerical analysis were carried out to study behavior of steel bridge deck with UHPFRC composite overlay adopting cold connecting, including casting UHPFRC layer directly on steel plate, adopting gluing stub, and gluing corrugated steel plate connector, respectively. In experimental study, series of UHPFRC and steel deck plate composite specimens were fabricated and tested considering different composite ways. It was analyzed the stress state and the relative displacement between UHPFRC layer and steel deck plate. Results from test study indicate cold connecting corrugated steel plate connector was an optimal composite design method. Calibrated by test result, FE model was established for steel bridge deck with UHPFRC composite layer. It was analyzed the interface behavior between UHPFRC and steel deck plate, and also the stress reduction level of fatigue details in steel bridge deck. Learn from FE analysis study, UHPFRC composite overlay design method could improve local rigidity obviously and also reduce stress range at typical fatigue detail in steel bridge deck.