Equivalent boundary conditions to analyze the realistic fatigue behaviors of a bridge RC slab

In this study, an equivalent boundary conditions (BCs) determination method is developed numerically for a panel reinforced concrete (RC) slab to realistically analyze the deformation and fatigue behaviors of a bridge RC slab. For this purpose, a finite element analysis of a bridge RC slab is carried out beforehand to calculate the stiffness of the bridge RC slab, and then the equivalent BCs for the panel RC slab are determined to achieve the same stiffness at the BCs to the obtained stiffness of the bridge RC slab at the corresponding locations of the bridge RC slab. Moreover, for the simulation of fatigue behaviors, fatigue analysis of the panel RC slab is carried out employing a finite element method based on a numerical model that considers the bridging stress degradation. Both the determined equivalent BCs and the BCs that have been typically applied in past studies are employed. The analysis results confirm that, in contrast to the panel RC slab with typically used BCs, the panel RC slab with equivalent BCs simulate the same bending moment distribution and deformation behaviors of the bridge RC slab. Furthermore, the equivalent BCs reproduce the extensive grid crack pattern in the panel RC slab, which is alike the pattern normally witnessed in a bridge RC slab. Conclusively, the panel RC slab with equivalent BCs behaves identical to the bridge RC slab, and, as a result, it shows more realistic fatigue behaviors observed in the bridge RC slab.