A Study of Static Behavior of FRP Bridge Deck Concerning Connection Condition

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is a relatively new material in the bridge construction. With high strength to weight ratios, excellent durability, and low life-cycle costs of FRP, FRP bridge decks can offer a low dead load, reduced maintenance, and long service life. Due to the lightweight of FRP, if existing concrete decks can be replaced with the FRP decks, the load carrying capacity of superstructure can be increased without strengthening of girders. In this study, we have conducted an experiment on 7 cases of connection conditions with steel girder by using bolts considering a rational and economical method of connection and compared with the results of FEM analysis. From the experimental result, if the bolts are strong enough to resist shear force between the FRP bridge deck and the steel girder, it will be structurally secure to use the zigzag method.