Controlled composite action to eliminate deck cracking

A significant number of concrete bridge decks develop early-age transverse cracking which cause significant maintenance problems. There have been many studies on transverse cracking; however, the problem still exists. The shrinkage cracking which is due to restraining effect of shear connectors can be prevented if a mechanism is developed to delay the early-age composite action while it is later activated under service loads. This mechanism may be achieved through the proposed Controlled Composite Action (C^2A) idea which primarily suggested that the shear connectors can be wrapped in a hyperelastic material such that under low level of stresses it does not provide any resistance permitting deck free shrinkage while upon development of shrinkage strains it builds up higher resistance to provide full composite action. The analytical and experimental study was conducted to evaluate the concept. Results of the study along with modification needed to ensure functionality are presented.