Showing papers by "An Chen published in 2014"

Design Equations and Example for FRP Deck–Steel Girder Bridge System

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks have been increasingly used in both rehabilitation and new constructions because of their many advantages. However, the design process is not in a code format, and individual decks and bridges are designed on a job-by-job basis. The development of standards and guidelines is needed to promote wider acceptance of FRP decks. Extensive research has been conducted by the authors and collaborators on modeling, optimization, and stiffness and strength evaluations of FRP decks; shear connectors for FRP deck to steel girders; and bridge system concepts, in terms of both experimental investigations and analytical solutions. Based on these research findings, this paper proposes a set of design guidelines considering the strength of the FRP deck subjected to out-of-plane compression, out-of-plane shear, and bending; static and fatigue strengths of the deck-to-girder shear connector; and effective flange width of the bridge system. A design example is provided to illustrate the use of the proposed design guidelines.

A study of deterioration of reinforced concrete beams under various forms of simulated acid rain attack in the laboratory

Abstract: This paper studies the behaviour of deteriorated reinforced concrete (RC) beams attacked by various forms of simulated acid rain. An artificial rainfall simulator was firstly designed and evaluated. Eleven RC beams (120 mmx200 mmx1800 mm) were then constructed in the laboratory. Among them, one was acting as a reference beam and the others were subjected to three accelerated corrosion methods, including immersion, wetting-drying, and artificial rainfall methods, to simulate the attack of real acid rain. Acid solutions with pH levels of 1.5 and 2.5 were considered. Next, ultrasonic, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic, and three-point bending tests were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of concrete and flexural behaviour of the RC beams. It can be concluded that the designed artificial simulator can be effectively used to simulate the real acid rainfall. Both the immersion and wetting-drying methods magnify the effects of the real acid rainfall on the RC beams.