Published in

Elsevier, Composites Part B: Engineering, 5(43), p. 2471-2479, 2012

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.08.038

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Experimental study of retrofit solutions for damaged concrete bridge slabs

Journal article published in 2012 by Luca Pelà ORCID, Alessandra Aprile ORCID, Andrea Benedetti
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

Accurate information on the actual performance of the structural system after retrofit is an essential part of a cost-effective bridge management program. This paper summarizes the results of a thorough experimental program concerning the reinforced concrete deck of a real 40year-old viaduct. The structure exhibited severe damage at the extrados mainly due to environmental agents, chemical attack and action of asphalt milling machines. Samples of the deck were cut and carried to the laboratory in order to assess the possibility of retrofit. The design of retrofit was aimed at increasing the load carrying capacity through replacement of the deteriorated concrete with a new concrete overlay and strengthening in flexure for both negative (hogging) and positive (sagging) bending moments. Experimental testing on small specimens and nondestructive techniques were carried out to identify the material properties and to evaluate the level of damage. The bonding between external reinforcement and the original or new (standard or polymer-modified) concrete was assessed through single-shear push–pull tests on 33 prismatic specimens of 100×200×500mm3 strengthened with CFRP strips. The efficiency of the retrofit techniques was checked at the structural level through four-point bending tests on eight slabs of 500×200×2000mm3. This research can contribute to guidelines for concrete patch repair of FRP-retrofitted concrete bridge decks, to ensure better long-term performance under service loads and environmental effects.