FRP Z-Spike Repairing of Wood Railroad Crossties
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 2
Abstract
Load tests of the effect of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcing rods (Z-spikes) on the flexural stiffness of deteriorated railroad crossties were conducted. Reinforcement was provided by installing diameter polyglass polyester resin fiberglass rods bonded in place using epoxy-resin. The Z-spikes were inserted into the deteriorated railroad crossties perpendicular to the primary bending axis to provide horizontal shear reinforcement and improve flexural stiffness. They were installed in pairs starting at each end of the crosstie specimen and moving inward. A total of ten rows were sequentially inserted into each crosstie specimen with load tests performed after each successive row installation. Results from load tests show an average increase in effective flexural stiffness (EI) of 58% with all ten rows of shear spikes inserted into the crossties.
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Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge funds provided by the Mountain Plains Consortium, a University Transportations Center funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The contributions of materials by Shell Resins and PPG Fiberglass are greatly appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 2 • February 2008
Pages: 248 - 257
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 19, 2007
Accepted: Jul 5, 2007
Published online: Feb 1, 2008
Published in print: Feb 2008
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Rakesh Gupta
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