Prestressed CFRP Strips for Concrete Bridge Girder Retrofitting: Application and Static Loading Test
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents an investigation on the practicability and structural efficiency of prestressed carbon-fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips with a gradient anchorage in the framework of a bridge-strengthening application in Poland. The nonmechanical anchorage system avoids the installation of metallic bolts and plates, with the exception of a temporary support frame. Two 18.4-m-long large-scale prestressed concrete girders were produced following the drawings of the existing bridge construction. One girder served as a reference, and the second one was strengthened with two prestressed CFRP strips. In this case, the initial negative cambering was leveled out by a layer of dry shotcrete. CFRP strips with a prestrain of 0.58% were applied for flexural upgrading. Both girders with a total length of 18.4 m were finally statically loaded up to failure to assess the strengthening efficiency in flexure of the retrofitting technique used. Tensile failure of the CFRP strips was reached, indicating an optimal use of the composite reinforcement. The strengthened girder exhibited a ductile behavior up to strip rupture with a distinct steel yielding and a subsequent pronounced increase of the load-carrying capacity. For service load considerations, an enhancement of the cracking load of approximately 16% was noticed. In terms of ultimate load, a significant improvement of approximately 25% compared to the reference girder was reached. Although some practical problems need optimization, the presented results are very promising and make this strengthening system an alternative for future retrofitting applications in bridge engineering.
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Acknowledgments
The presented research is part of the joined multidisciplinary research project TULCOEMPA between Łódź University of Technology and Empa. The financial support of the Polish-Swiss Research Programme for Project PSRP-124/2010 is highly appreciated. This project was supported by a grant from Switzerland through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union. S&P Clever Reinforcement Company, S&P Polska, and Granjet Granella AG are acknowledged for their support in the preparation of the concrete elements and material provision. Detailed product information on the composite reinforcements can be found in the respective data sheets (S&P Clever Reinforcement Company AG 2013a, b, c, d). The help of the laboratory staff of Empa for the testing activities and the image correlation measurements is appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 21 • Issue 5 • May 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 6, 2015
Accepted: Jul 16, 2015
Published online: Jan 20, 2016
Published in print: May 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 20, 2016
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