Shear Design of RC Bridge Deck Slabs according to Eurocode 2

Abstract

In order to coordinate the design of RC structures all over Europe, the new Eurocode has been implemented in all member states. In Germany, for example, the unified codes with their national annexes are exclusively valid as of July 1, 2012. Some changes to Eurocode No. 2 have large effects on the design of new buildings and the safety verification of old ones. This applies particularly for the shear design of RC members without stirrups. The structural safety of RC bridge decks, which are mostly built without shear reinforcement, under static and cyclic loads, is the focus of this paper. The shear capacity of the new design regulations will be compared with test results to demonstrate the inaccuracy of the Eurocode No. 2 approach and the need for further investigations. Then results of a big test series with slabs under wheel loads, straight and haunched beams under monotonic loading, and RC beams under cyclic loads will be discussed. The main purpose of the presented research is to improve the shear design of RC bridge deck slabs, which are mostly built without stirrups. This paper does not deal with prestressed slabs, and further standards and design approaches are not part of the paper.