Shear Stud Connections for the Development of Composite Action between Steel Girders and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bridge Decks

Abstract

Three fiber-reinforced polymer deck-to-girder connection concepts were evaluated for longitudinal structural capacity, ease of erection, and affordability. The first two concepts employed a composite sleeve to confine grout around three shear studs. In both cases, failure was due to a loss of confinement and local crushing of the composite. As a result, a connection that contained a larger volume of grout to alleviate local crushing and steel spirals to aid in grout confinement was developed by Cassity et al. in 2000. This connection detail utilizes a trapezoidal cell of the deck’s core to confine grout around three shear studs. Following the strength tests on this connection it was fatigued according to AASHTO specifications for 10.5 million cycles (75-year design life) and tested for residual capacity. The connection survived fatigue loading with negligible loss in stiffness. The haunch exhibited minimal debonding and cracking. Connection capacity after one lifetime of fatigue was within 2% of initial capacity and exceeded strength limit state requirements for a specific bridge.