Modelling of membrane bonding response: part 1 development of an adhesive contact interface element

Abstract

The adhesive bonding strength of the membrane layers between the asphalt concrete surface layers and the decks of steel bridges has a strong influence on the fatigue life of orthotropic steel deck bridges (OSDBs). The most important requirement for the application of membrane materials to orthotropic steel deck bridges is that the membrane adhesive layer is able to sufficiently bond to its surrounding material layers. The interfacial properties between the membrane and the layers bonded to it have not been extensively studied in the current orthotropic steel deck bridge system. In this paper, details of the contact interface element utilised to model the interfacial bonding properties will be discussed. Furthermore, the traction-separation material law will be chosen to describe the bonding response of the interfacial properties of the membrane to its surrounding surfacing layers on OSDBs. Some numerical examples, in which various aspects of the finite elements response of the contact interface model will be presented. Utilisation of the model in finite element analyses has enabled the investigation of the response of a 3D orthotropic steel deck bridge subjected to the different traffic loading conditions.

Modelling of membrane bonding response: part 2 finite element simulations of membrane adhesion tests

“…As it is was also discussed in the companion paper to this contribution (Liu et al 2019), for any given location along the adhesive interfacial zone, full membrane debonding occurs locally when the fibrils deform to a maximum allowable deformation limit of Δ max , Figure 16. At that instant, as shown in Figure 16, the area under the tractionseparation curve corresponds to the strain energy release rate G required for crack extension.…”

“…In order to simulate the bonding characteristics of the membrane to the substrate, the adhesive contact interface developed in the companion paper (Liu et al 2019) together with the traction-separation law is utilised. From the traction-separation law, we know that the strain energy release rate G and the characteristic opening length d C control the adhesive strength of the contact interface.…”

“…In this section, the influence of the characteristic opening length d C in the adhesive traction-separation law of Equation (31) in the companion paper to this contribution (Liu et al 2019) is studied by a series of FE simulations. In total three simulations are carried out by choosing d C values as 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mm.…”

“…Furthermore, the FE model of the MAT test will be presented. The progressive membrane debonding process of the MAT test will be modelled by using the adhesive traction-separation interface element which was developed in the companion paper to this contribution (Liu et al 2019). The critical strain energy release rate which was measured from MAT will be utilised for the FE simulations.…”

Stress Analysis of Hollow Slab Bridge Deck Pavement

“…Qian et al [19] studied the interlaminar bonding qualities of bridge deck pavement and cement concrete bridges by using direct shear testing to examine the shear resistance capabilities of the adhesion layer between cement concrete bridge deck and asphalt pavement. Liu et al [20] designed a 16-noded isoparametric interface element for use in the FE modelling of the membrane's adhesive and contact behaviour with the surrounding layers. The constitutive model enabled a greater comprehension of damage development at the interfacial zone between pavement layers, allowing for improved design optimization.…”