Interface friction in the service load assessment of slab-on-girder bridge beams

Many slab-on-girder bridges around the world are being assessed because they are approaching the end of their anticipated design lives or codes are permitting higher allowable loads. Current analytical techniques assume that the concrete and steel components act independently, typically requiring full-scale load testing to more accurately predict the remaining strength or endurance of the structure. However, many of the load tests carried out on these types of bridges would be unnecessary if the degree of interaction resulting from friction at the steel-concrete interface could be adequately modeled. Experimental testing confirmed that interface friction has a negligible effect on the flexural capacity of a slab-on-girder beam however, it also showed that interface friction is significant under serviceability loading. This has led to the development of an improved analytical technique which is presented in this paper and referred to as the slab-on-girder mixed analysis service load assessment approach.