Static and fatigue behaviour of bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load

The deterioration of bridge decks as a result of environmental conditions and the application of de-icing chemicals is a well known and documented problem. Innovative bridge decks such as steel-free deck slabs and deck slabs reinforced with fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) are a solution to the problem of the corrosion of internal steel reinforcement. Steel-free bridge decks take advantage of the arching-action in the internal panel of bridge deck slabs to provide a system that is durable and economic. Engineers have proposed the idea that there may be some arching action present in bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load. An experimental research program was undertaken at the University of Manitoba to investigate this hypothesis.; This report includes the details of the experimental program required to test a full-scale innovative bridge deck with cantilevers reinforced with different top transverse reinforcing bars. The experimental results include specific information related to the static and fatigue deflection related results, strain related results, crack related results, and modes of failure. Analytical models were explored to develop a better understanding of the static and fatigue behaviour of bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load.; The experimental test results and analytical models indicated that the static and fatigue behaviour of an unstiffened bridge deck cantilever overhang may not be completely flexural. The flexural capacities of the three cantilever sections dictated that the static ultimate loads should have differed. Results indicated that the static ultimate loads were experimentally identical. Static and fatigue deflection, strain, and crack width results along with the static and fatigue modes of failure confirmed that the there may be the presence of arching-action in bridge deck cantilevers. Strain magnitudes in the internal suggested that a reduction in the quantity of top transverse reinforcement is feasible.; The experimental static and fatigue destructive testing of bridge deck cantilever overhangs subjected to a concentrated load suggests that there may be the presence of arching-action. Further experimental research is required to confirm the behaviour of bridge deck cantilevers with a barrier wall subjected to a concentrated load.