EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON RIBBED BRIDGE DECK PANELS INCORPORATING HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE AND PRESTRESSING

Abstract

This study evaluates the structural performance of a novel precast ribbed bridge deck slab system constructed with high-performance concrete (HPC) and incorporating prestressing. Designed as a cost-effective alternative to ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) ribbed slabs, the proposed system employs prestressing strands placed near the neutral axis to enhance tensile capacity and overall structural integrity. A full-scale transverse rib specimen was fabricated and tested under increasing loads, supported by code-based analysis and numerical modeling. The results showed that while the slab initially exhibited flexural cracking, it ultimately failed in shear at an applied load of 100.1 kN. Prestressing was found to significantly improve crack resistance, and the connection between the HPC ribs and cast-in-place fiber-reinforced concrete shear pockets remained fully intact throughout the test. Comparisons with AASHTO design provisions confirmed the slab’s flexural adequacy and identified shear as the critical failure mode. These findings highlight the critical importance of shear design in HPC waffle deck slab systems to ensure structural safety and performance.