Composite Bridge Decking, Final Project Report

2. NUMERICAL MODELING AND VALIDATION

Materials

The Phase I Design Report contains a report on the selection of materials for the deck. Section 3 of this report summarizes the final design.

Finite Element Analysis

A summary report for the finite element analysis of the bridge stringers and deck system, including railing, is presented in appendix B.

Experimental Validation

Numerous laboratory tests were performed to gain information about the behavior and consistency of tube subcomponents and full depth deck panels. Connections, the railing anchorage, the wearing surface, and fire resistance were also proof tested. Each test is summarized in the appendixes in the Phase I Design Report.

Appendix C is a report on the field testing, done to validate the finite element analysis. The live-load test shows that the maximum tensile strains experienced by the FRP deck under the truck loading are below 3 percent of the ultimate failure tensile strain of the FRP panel (315 µe) and that maximum midspan deflections registered by the steel girders and FRP deck satisfy AASHTO deflection limits. The 3D finite element model is used to further evaluate the response of the FRP deck and steel girders to the truck loading. Numerical results match very closely the experimental data. For example, for the load case of both trucks placed at midspan, differences between the measured strain values on the FRP deck and the numerical model are on the order of 5 percent, whereas differences in steel girder deflections are on the order of 4 percent.