Service performance of bridge approach slabs and replacement alternatives

Approach slabs are commonly used to provide a smooth transition between the roadway and the highway bridge. Conventional construction of approach slabs uses cast-in-place reinforced concrete slabs that are anchored to the abutment. Maintenance of bridges, however, often requires repair or replacement of approach slabs due to damage from traffic, washout of fill materials, and settlement of the approach embankment etc. This paper describes recent tests of full-size approach slabs with conventional steel reinforcement as well as pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer grating and glass fiber- reinforced polymer rebars.