Experimental investigation of bridge deck with textured epoxy-coated rebars subjected to thermal loading

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 (IDOT) developed a new type of coated bars, called textured epoxy-coated (TEC) bars. Over the last few years, different projects have been executed to understand and improve TEC bars characteristics. This thesis is a continuation of the research performed at the University of Illinois to understand better the bond behavior of TEC rebars with concrete. The experimental program presented herein focuses on studying the impact of temperature changes on the behavior of two large-scale bridge deck specimens reinforced with TEC and standard epoxy-coated (EC) 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 the tensile stress distribution in bridge decks. Furthermore, pull-out tests are carried out on the TEC rebars, and their roughness parameters are determined to contrast the results with the database reported in the literature. 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 bars' roughness on site.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Perez Claros, Ernesto Alfredo

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrawes, Bassem

• Epoxy coating
• Textured epoxy-coated bars
• Bridge deck
• Thermal loading
• Bond-slip
• Pull-out test
• Surface roughness
• Concrete cracking

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Ernesto Perez Claros

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113099

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113099