Fatigue Behavior of Composite-Reinforced Glulam Bridge Girders
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 2
Abstract
While composite-reinforced glulam beams have been used in several bridge demonstration projects, knowledge of their fatigue behavior is quite limited. In this study, the response of full- and partial-length fiberglass composite-reinforced glulam beams under fatigue cycling followed by quasi-static bending to failure is examined. To mimic anticipated in-service conditions, a hygrothermal cycling regime was developed that replicates the effective stress history of a 50-year service life with a 55-day period in a moisture-controlled kiln. In addition, some of the beams had initial delaminations introduced between the reinforcing and the wood similar to those observed in field investigations of reinforced glulam bridge girders. For the partial-length reinforced beams, reinforcing with both confined and unconfined ends was considered. The results of the postfatigue tests to failure were compared with the expected strength. In addition, the stiffness of the beams was monitored during the fatigue cycling. It was found that, with the exception of the unconfined, partial-length reinforced beams, all specimens had a residual strength that compared favorably with the expected strength. Further, neither the preconditioning nor the fatigue cycling had an appreciable impact on the stiffness of the reinforced beams. The unconfined, partial-length reinforced beams did not perform well under fatigue loading and do not seem to be a viable alternative for use as reinforced glulam bridge girders.
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Acknowledgments
The writers are grateful for the financial support provided by the Federal Highway Administration and the guidance of Ms. Sheila Duwadi, FHWA research structural engineer. Olivia Sanchez, research engineer at the University of Maine AEWC Center, is also acknowledged for her oversight of a number of the tests reported in this paper. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not constitute a design guide or specification.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 2 • March 2008
Pages: 183 - 191
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 7, 2006
Accepted: Apr 11, 2007
Published online: Mar 1, 2008
Published in print: Mar 2008
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