![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
Abstract
Portland cement concrete overlay on concrete bridges is a special pavement structure subjected to distresses of cracking and interface de-bonding. Most research has focused on materials to improve overlay performance, while there are no systematic mechanistic analysis and structural design methods available. This paper studies the mechanical behaviours and structural designs of four typical bridge structures under traffic loading using finite-element modelling. Results indicate that stress response is highly dependent on bridge structure. The maximum tensile stress occurs in the top overlay at the positions of bridge rib, joint and bearing. Generally, increasing overlay thickness reduces critical stresses, but a 4–5-cm overlay thickness induces the maximum interface shear stress. It was found that a rubber interlay design could effectively relieve flexural stress at the negative moment regions. Cracked overlay poses much higher interface stresses than continuous overlay, but steel reinforcements can effectively reduce critical stresses.