Bond Characteristics and Experimental Behavior of Textured Epoxy-coated Rebars Used in Concrete Bridge Decks

Andrawes, Bassem; Perez Claros, Ernesto Alfredo; Zhang, Zige

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/112927 Copy

Description

Title

Bond Characteristics and Experimental Behavior of Textured Epoxy-coated Rebars Used in Concrete Bridge Decks

Author(s)

• Andrawes, Bassem
• Perez Claros, Ernesto Alfredo
• Zhang, Zige

Issue Date

2022-01

Keyword(s)

• Bridge Decks
• Concrete Cracking
• Reinforcement
• Textured Epoxy Coating
• Shrinkage
• Thermal Stresses
• Bending Stress
• Roughness
• Pull-out Test
• Bond Strength
• Finite Element Method

Abstract

The deterioration of bridge decks is a problem typically associated with the corrosion of the reinforcing steel. This issue was partially controlled during the 1970s with the incorporation of the epoxy-coating protection system. However, research later demonstrated that the smooth surface resulting from the epoxy-coating application reduces most of the friction between the rebar and the surrounding concrete. Consequently, forces acting on the rib faces are reconfigured in such a way that the radial components increase, triggering the early development of cracks. To mitigate both the reduction of bonding and the formation of cracks, the Illinois Department of Transportation proposed a new type of coated bars: textured epoxy-coated (TEC) bars. Over the last few years, different projects have been executed to understand and improve the characteristics of TEC rebars. This report is a continuation of research performed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to evaluate the bond behavior of TEC bars. The experimental program starts by characterizing, qualitatively and quantitatively, the roughness of the TEC rebars. Next, their bond-slip interaction embedded in concrete is evaluated through pull-out tests. Finite element models of these tests are developed to validate the behavior observed as the textured reinforcement loses anchorage with concrete. Based on these results, the experimental program then aims to study the impact of the drying shrinkage, temperature change, and flexural demands on two large-scale bridge deck specimens reinforced, individually, with TEC and standard epoxy-coated bars. The results collected from both specimens using digital image correlation and strain gauges are compared to explore the differences exhibited by the traditional and the new type of reinforcement coatings in terms of stress distribution in bridge decks. Finally, given the specialized equipment and time-consuming procedure needed to calculate the roughness parameters of TEC bars, an empirical, weight-based approach is developed as a rapid method for assessing the rebars’ roughness on-site.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-22-001

ISSN

0197-9191

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/112927

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/22-001

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-197

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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