Shear strength evaluation of RC bridge deck slabs according to CSCT with multi – layered shell elements and PARC_CL Crack Model

The shear resistance of RC slabs without shear reinforcement subjected to concentrated loads near linear support is usually calibrated on the base of tests on one – way slabs with rectangular cross section. However, the actual behavior of slabs subjected to concentrated loads is described properly by a two-way slab response. The aim of this paper consists in the evaluation of the shear resistance of bridge deck slabs using analytical formulations and Nonlinear Finite Element Analyses (NLFEA). The obtained numerical results are consequently compared with experimental observations from two test campaigns. The case studies were analysed by NLFE analyses carried out using the constitutive Crack Model PARC_CL (Physical Approach for Reinforced Concrete under Cycling Loading) implemented in the user subroutine UMAT.for in Abaqus Code. In order to predict properly global and local failure modes through a NLFE model, a multi – layered shell modelling has been used. As shell element modelling is not able to detect out – of – plane shear failures, the ultimate shear resistance of these slabs is evaluated by means of a post – processing method according to the Critical Shear Crack Theory (CSCT).