Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs
Abstract A novel road-bridge link slab utilizing rubberized engineered cementitious composites (R-ECC) has been proposed for fully jointless bridges (FJBs). Preliminary research has shown that R-ECC road-bridge link slabs possess superior deformation absorption capacity, tensile strength, and crack...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99947-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850042803874168832 |
|---|---|
| author | Xue-fang Zhan Tian-pu Zhao Fang Wang Yi-bin Zhao Hao-lei Wang |
| author_facet | Xue-fang Zhan Tian-pu Zhao Fang Wang Yi-bin Zhao Hao-lei Wang |
| author_sort | Xue-fang Zhan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A novel road-bridge link slab utilizing rubberized engineered cementitious composites (R-ECC) has been proposed for fully jointless bridges (FJBs). Preliminary research has shown that R-ECC road-bridge link slabs possess superior deformation absorption capacity, tensile strength, and crack control capabilities. However, micro-cracks developed on the surface of these slabs due to seasonal temperature fluctuations. While R-ECCs demonstrate improved bending ability compared to conventional ECCs, they exhibit lower compressive strength. Further research is necessary to investigate the crack development and bending deflection of microcracked R-ECC road-bridge link slabs under vehicle loads, which will help determine the suitability of R-ECCs for this application. The microcracked R-ECC slab has a great crack control capacity, and the rebound deflection measured in the experiment is less than the allowable value, indicating that the microcracked R-ECC slab meets the durability and strength standard. A sensitivity parameter finite element analysis was conducted considering the effects of slab thickness and equivalent elasticity modulus of the foundation on the R-ECC road-bridge link slab. Two evaluation indexes ‘C t ’ and ‘C e ’ are proposed to evaluate the performance and construction cost of the R-ECC slab. To improve performance and minimize construction costs, a design thickness of 180 mm and an equivalent elasticity modulus of the foundation of 800 MPa were recommended for the R-ECC road-bridge link slab. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d12390b794ee4c8d96527c211adaeb5a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-d12390b794ee4c8d96527c211adaeb5a2025-08-20T02:55:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-99947-0Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabsXue-fang Zhan0Tian-pu Zhao1Fang Wang2Yi-bin Zhao3Hao-lei Wang4Civil Engineering Department, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyCivil Engineering Department, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyCivil Engineering Department, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyCivil Engineering Department, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyCivil Engineering Department, Central South University of Forestry and TechnologyAbstract A novel road-bridge link slab utilizing rubberized engineered cementitious composites (R-ECC) has been proposed for fully jointless bridges (FJBs). Preliminary research has shown that R-ECC road-bridge link slabs possess superior deformation absorption capacity, tensile strength, and crack control capabilities. However, micro-cracks developed on the surface of these slabs due to seasonal temperature fluctuations. While R-ECCs demonstrate improved bending ability compared to conventional ECCs, they exhibit lower compressive strength. Further research is necessary to investigate the crack development and bending deflection of microcracked R-ECC road-bridge link slabs under vehicle loads, which will help determine the suitability of R-ECCs for this application. The microcracked R-ECC slab has a great crack control capacity, and the rebound deflection measured in the experiment is less than the allowable value, indicating that the microcracked R-ECC slab meets the durability and strength standard. A sensitivity parameter finite element analysis was conducted considering the effects of slab thickness and equivalent elasticity modulus of the foundation on the R-ECC road-bridge link slab. Two evaluation indexes ‘C t ’ and ‘C e ’ are proposed to evaluate the performance and construction cost of the R-ECC slab. To improve performance and minimize construction costs, a design thickness of 180 mm and an equivalent elasticity modulus of the foundation of 800 MPa were recommended for the R-ECC road-bridge link slab.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99947-0Fully jointless bridgesMicrocracked R-ECC road-bridge link slabsSeasonal temperature variationTraffic loadsCrack developmentRebound deflection |
| spellingShingle | Xue-fang Zhan Tian-pu Zhao Fang Wang Yi-bin Zhao Hao-lei Wang Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs Scientific Reports Fully jointless bridges Microcracked R-ECC road-bridge link slabs Seasonal temperature variation Traffic loads Crack development Rebound deflection |
| title | Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs |
| title_full | Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs |
| title_fullStr | Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs |
| title_short | Study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked R-ECC road–bridge link slabs |
| title_sort | study on the bending deformation properties of microcracked r ecc road bridge link slabs |
| topic | Fully jointless bridges Microcracked R-ECC road-bridge link slabs Seasonal temperature variation Traffic loads Crack development Rebound deflection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99947-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xuefangzhan studyonthebendingdeformationpropertiesofmicrocrackedreccroadbridgelinkslabs AT tianpuzhao studyonthebendingdeformationpropertiesofmicrocrackedreccroadbridgelinkslabs AT fangwang studyonthebendingdeformationpropertiesofmicrocrackedreccroadbridgelinkslabs AT yibinzhao studyonthebendingdeformationpropertiesofmicrocrackedreccroadbridgelinkslabs AT haoleiwang studyonthebendingdeformationpropertiesofmicrocrackedreccroadbridgelinkslabs |