Effect of lap reinforcement in link slabs of highway bridges

This paper investigates the influence of lap reinforcement in link slabs of highway bridges under four independent boundary conditions by using a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element code based on the microplane model. Numerical solutions for load–deflection relationships, internal force distribution and failure cracking planes are presented for link slabs with different details of lap reinforcement. A full-scale test was performed on three reinforced concrete long span link slabs with various lap reinforcement details subjected to mid-span loading. The comparison indicates a good agreement between the results from finite element analysis and the experiment. The present model can be used to predict the effective moment of inertia of the link slab under mid-span loading, end rotation and end translation for the development of design criteria for a link slab.