Use of UHPC slab for continuous composite steel-concrete girders

The loss of composite action at the hogging moment zone for a continuous composite girder reduces the girder stiffness and strength. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the use of an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) slab at the hogging moment zone and a normal concrete (NC) slab at the sagging moment zone. The testing was conducted to verify the level of loading at which composite action is maintained at the hogging moment zone. Four two-span continuous composite girders were tested. The thickness of the UHPC varied between a half and a full depth of slab. The degree of shear connection at the hogging moment zone varied between full and partial. The experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of the UHPC slab to enhance the girder stiffness and maintain the composite action at the hogging moment zone at a load level much higher than the upper service load limit. To a lesser degree enhanced performance was also noted for the smaller thickness of the UHPC slab and partial shear connection at the hogging moment zone. Plastic analysis was conducted to evaluate the ultimate capacity of the girder which yielded a conservative estimation. Finite element (FE) modeling evaluated the girder performance numerically and yielded satisfactory results. The results indicated that composite action at the hogging moment zone is maintained for the degree of shear connection taken as 50% of the full composite action and use of UHPC as half depth of slab thickness.