Optimisation of a prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer shell for composite bridge deck

This paper proposes a prestressed fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) shell for composite bridge deck with FRP and concrete. Geometric parameters including cross-section shape, arch radius and number of arches were first optimised by the finite element (FE) method. A self-balancing prestressed basalt FRP (BFRP) shell system was proposed to resist the deformation under construction load and to enhance the integrated mechanical behaviour. The mechanical behaviour of the proposed FRP shell were examined under a simulated construction load. The stresses and deformations of the FRP shell were analysed during both prestress tensioning and construction loading. A static test was further conducted on the BFRP shell-concrete composited bridge deck to verify prestressing effect. The results show a corrugated cross-section with two arches on its lower flange further enhances the stiffness of FRP shell for a composite bridge deck. The prestressed FRP shell offsets the deformation under construction by the camber and exhibits more linear structural behaviour when compared to the non-prestressed BFRP shell. The stress monitored during loading indicates a superior integrated behaviour of the FRP shell and prestressing FRP laminates. Furthermore, the load-displacement relationship of prestressed composite bridge deck demonstrates a high loading capacity and small deflection at serviceability limit state.