Future Prefabrication-oriented Bridge Deck Asphalt Pavement Structure System

Abstract: Bridge deck asphalt pavement (BDAP) is an important part of bridges, which is crucial for the smooth operation of transportation road networks. Prefabrication is an effective routine to promote its resilience and durability, green and low-carbon, and rapid and intelligent construction. To this end, this paper proposes an innovative future prefabrication-oriented BDAP structure system, and designs the integrated composite prefabricated segment of “girder + paving” and the joint structure form of assembly connection. Moreover, the mechanical optimization analysis is conducted on the critical area of the joint structure. The mechanical influences of some factors on the prefabricated BDAP are investigated, including the existence of joints, different bonding states of the joint interface, and various modulus differences between the joints and prefabricated BDAP. Results show that the existence of joints leads to an increase in the maximum tensile stress in the upper layer of BDAP and a decrease in the maximum tensile stress in the lower layer; the improvement of the bonding state of the joint interface makes the maximum tensile stress on the boundary surface of the lower layer gradually increase, the maximum tensile stress in the upper layer gradually decrease, and both of them reach the maximum and minimum respectively when the joint interface reaches complete continuity; when the elastic modulus of joint material and that of prefabricated BDAP are similar, the maximum tensile stress on the boundary surface is the smallest. It is obvious that good bonding of the joint interface and matching between the modulus of joint material and that of prefabricated BDAP material play a positive role in mitigating the cracking possibility and balancing the mechanical state of the upper and lower layers. It is recommended to strengthen the interface bonding of joints, and design or select joint materials with similar modulus and material properties as prefabricated BDAP materials. Findings of this study are of great value for the design of future prefabricated BDAP structure system, prefabrication production, assembly connection, and further development of bridge prefabrication.