FATIGUE TESTS OF COMPOSITE DECKS WITH MCL CONNECTORS

Full-scale fatigue tests were performed on three composite decks with the MCL (modified clothoid) connectors to investigate their fatigue performance. Fatigue life and failure mode of the composite bridge decks were explored by measuring the specimens with three different stress amplitudes. The deflection, strain, carrying capacity, and stiffness degradation of the composite decks were measured and analyzed in the test. In addition, parameter analysis was performed using finite-element method in this study. Results showed that the mechanical performance of the composite decks accorded with the plane-section assumption under constant amplitude load, and the fatigue failure mode of the composite decks was the local fracture of the bottom steel plate. The stiffness degradation law and S-N curve were obtained in this study. Moreover, the concrete slab depth had a remarkable effect on the fatigue performance of the composite decks.