Mechanical behavior of steel-concrete composite decks with perfobond shear connectors

Exodermic deck systems are new composite steel grid deck systems which have been used in various projects during the past decade. One of the eminent features of this system is considerable reduction in the structure weight compared to the ordinary reinforced concrete decks and also reduction in construction time by using precast Exodermic decks. In this study, dynamic properties of the Exodermic deck bridges with alternative perfobond shear connectors are investigated experimentally. In order to evaluate the dynamic properties of the decks, peak picking and Nyquist circle fit methods are employed. Frequencies obtained experimentally are in good agreement with the results of the finite-element solution, and the experimental results show that the first mode is the most effective mode among the obtained modes. The first four modes are the rigid translational motion modes, and the next two modes seem to be rigid rotational motion modes around a horizontal axis. From the 7th mode onwards, modes are flexible. The range of damping ratios is about 0.5%. Furthermore, the static behavior of the Exodermic decks under a static load applied at the center of the decks was investigated. Failure of the decks under positive bending was punching-shear. The bending strength of the decks under negative bending was about 50 percent of their strength under positive bending. In addition, the weight of an Exodermic deck is about 40% of that of an equivalent reinforced concrete slab.