Shear strength of R/C bridge cantilever slabs

This paper presents the results of six tests on R/C bridge cantilever slabs without shear reinforcement subjected to concentrated loading. The specimens represent actual deck slabs of box-girder bridges scaled 3/4. They were 10 m long with a clear cantilever equal to 2.78 m and with variable thickness (190 mm at the tip of the cantilever and 380 mm at the clamped edge). Reinforcement ratios for the specimens were equal to 0.78% and 0.60%. All tests failed in a brittle manner by development of a shear failure surface around the concentrated loads. The experimental results are investigated on the basis of linear elastic shear fields for the various tests. Taking advantage of the experimental and numerical results, practical recommendations for estimating the shear strength of R/C bridge cantilever slabs are proposed.