Link slabs designed for macroscopically crack free concrete bridge decks system were experimentally tested. The property requirements of the link slab material were considered. Special focus was placed on the fatigue and durability performance. Introduction of a ductile Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) material is proposed for its ability to control crack width and to exhlbit high ductile behavior, which are main performance requirements in the link slab. Experimental results of cyclic tests of full-scale ECC link slabs are compared with those of an ordinary reinforced concrete link slab. The fatigue response will be discussed with particular emphasis on the development of crack widths, which is important for durability against steel reinforcement corrosion The significant enhancement of crack width control in ECC link slab suggest that the use of ECC material can be effective in extending the service life of repaired bridge decks system.

• Yun-Yong Kim(Department of Civil Engineering，Chungnam National University)
• Victor C. Li(Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan)