Structural evaluation of RC overhang cantilever slab strengthened with FRP near‐surface mounted (NSM) composites for bridge applications

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents the findings of a large‐scale experimental study that focus on assessing structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) cantilever slabs with carbon/epoxy fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite strips using a near‐surface‐mounted (NSM) approach. The NSM/CFRP system evaluated in this study was implemented in strengthening the shoulders of the Slide Canyon Bridge in California, USA. The experimental phase is divided into two main parts: (i) determining the design parameters for NSM, including the bondline strength through pull‐out tests, and (ii) conducting a practical evaluation of the bending behavior of original and retrofitted RC cantilever slabs, each with varying NSM reinforcement and three different development lengths. Results of this study indicated that the use of NSM‐CFRP has a considerable benefit in that it significantly improves ductility and changes the failure mode of the unstrengthened RC slab from the typical brittle shear‐based failure mode to a more ductile flexural‐based failure mode. The large‐scale slab specimens' performances, which had different development lengths, showed little variance, except for the slab specimen with a development length of 457.0 mm that exhibited an appreciable flexural stiffness as compared to other specimens evaluated in this study. In order to simulate the serviceability and ultimate behavior of the RC slab specimens, linear and nonlinear finite element analyses were performed. A satisfactory agreement between numerical and experimental results was achieved especially at load level prior the initiation of large‐size cracks.