Effect of Shear Stud Connections on Dynamic Response of an FRP Deck Bridge under Moving Loads

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of shear stud connections on the dynamic response of the fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) deck system under moving loads. A FRP deck bridge in Pennsylvania was studied based on a field test and finite-element (FE) analysis. In the field test, the strain of each steel girder at the midspan was measured at three positions: top, midheight, and bottom. In the FE analysis, the connection between the steel girders and the FRP deck was simulated as fully and partially composite, separately. Static performance under a simplified truck load was investigated based on these two FE models, and the FE analysis results were compared with the field test results to validate the FE models. The FE results of the fully composite model and the partially composite model provide a lower bound and an upper bound for the real response of the FRP deck system. Next, the dynamic behavior of the FRP deck system under moving loads was studied based on the two verified FE models. The static or dynamic response in the partially composite model of the FRP deck bridge was greater than the corresponding static or dynamic response in the fully composite model. Also, it was shown that the dynamic response in the partially composite model lags behind that in the fully composite model. Additionally, the FE analysis revealed that the number of shear stud connections affected the dynamic deflection, slip, and separation. Finally, the dynamic response of the FRP deck system was compared with that of the commonly used RC system.