Link Slab Behavior in Continuous Bridge Systems: A Comparative Study of Finite Element and Analytical Approach

Performance and longevity of bridge structures are usually compromised by the use of expansion joints, which are prone to material deterioration and are costly to maintain. To address these drawbacks, partially continuous systems with link slabs are increasingly adopted. This study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the behavior of link slabs. A numerical model was developed using finite element analysis to simulate the behavior of the link slabs. The results of the model were compared to those of the analytical solution. The study also examined the effects of various parameters, including the Debonding Length Ratio (DLR) and the span length on link slab performance. The results indicate that the numerical model tends to overpredict the link-slab rotations when compared to the analytical solution. However, the moments in the link slab showed a decrease with increasing span length in the numerical analysis, contrary to the analytical solution which indicated an increase. In addition, higher DLRs resulted in reduced rotations and increased moments in the numerical model, whereas the analytical solution showed no effect on rotation and a decrease in moments with higher DLR. These results highlight the necessity of using detailed numerical models to accurately analyze and optimize the design of link slabs.