Category: Graduate Student Seminar Material Design and Structural Configuration of Link Slabs for ABC Applications

January 26, 2018 1:00 pm

In this quarterly Research Seminar, Behrouz Shafei, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Investigator; Michael Dopko, Ph.D. student; and Shahin Hajilar, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate with Iowa State University present work under the ABC-UTC research project entitled Material Design and Structural Configuration of Link Slabs for ABC Applications conducted at Iowa State University.

Seminar Documents:
Material Design and Structural Configuration of Link Slabs for ABC Applications - pdf of presentation

Description: Expansion joints used in conventional bridges provide a gap for adjacent bridge spans to expand and contract under thermal loads. This gap, however, is a major route for the ingress of corrosive materials, which cause premature deterioration of bridge components. Link slabs are a promising solution to this problem as they replace expansion joints to create a continuous deck system. While the cost and maintenance advantages of a link slab bridge are well documented, supporting design guidelines and practical recommendations are necessary to properly implement a link slab in the jointless bridges. This ongoing research project explores material design and structural configuration of link slabs, particularly for ABC applications. For this purpose, a set of experimental tests and numerical simulations have been performed. The current presentation covers both material and structural aspects. Furthermore, the possibility of a link slab retrofit for multi-span bridges will be discussed through a case-study bridge in Iowa under varying support conditions and thermal loads.

Presenters :

 

Behrouz Shafei, Ph.D., P.E.
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Iowa State University

 

Michael Dopko, Ph.D. Student
(Ph.D., 2019, Iowa State University)
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Iowa State University

 

Shahin Hajilar, Ph.D.
(Ph.D., 2017, Iowa State University)
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Iowa State University

Presentation Graphics:

Figure 1. Material tests - fresh properties

Figure 2. Material tests - hardened properties

Figure 3. Numerical simulations of bridges with a link slab