Innovative Bridge Deck System Using High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites

This paper details the basis for an innovative concept related to building better and more durable concrete bridge decks. The decks are assumed to be supported by beams of any structural material. The typical deck is made with high-performance, fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC) and reinforced with only 1 layer of transverse bottom reinforcing bars for positive moment resistance. Thus, reinforcement is as far away as possible from the top surface of the deck and protected from intrusion of corrosive agents. The HPFRCC is designed to: 1) balance part of the negative moment; 2) allow the development of an effective plastic hinge mechanism, with hinges forming at supports and in spans, under ultimate loading; and 3) keep crack widths extremely small under service conditions. A dramatically higher durability is expected. A brief summary of test results and analytical modeling is also provided.