Field Performance of FRP Bridge Repairs
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Many reinforced concrete bridges throughout the United States on county and state highway systems are deteriorated and/or distressed to such a degree that structural strengthening of the bridge or reducing the allowable truck loading on the bridge by load posting is necessary to extend the service life of the bridge. The structural performance of many of these bridges can be improved through external bonding of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates or plates. This paper describes the rehabilitation of an existing concrete bridge in Alabama through external bonding of FRP plates to the bridge girders. Field load tests were conducted before and after application of the FRP plates, and the response of the bridge to test vehicle loadings was recorded. Results of the field tests are reported, and the effects of the FRP plates on the bridge response are identified. The repaired bridge structure exhibited a decrease in steel reinforcing bar stresses and vertical midspan deflections. These decreases ranged from 4 to 12% for various static and dynamic loading cases.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Engineering guidelines for the use of Sika CarboDur (CFRP) laminates for structural strengthening of concrete structures, 1st Ed. (1997). Sika Corporation, Lyndhurst, N.J.
2.
Klaiber, F. W., Dunker, K. F., Wipf, T. J., and Sanders, W. W. (1987). “Methods of strengthening existing highway bridges.” NCHRP Rep. 293, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
3.
Manual for maintenance inspection of bridges. (1990). American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials, Washington, D.C.
4.
Meier, U., and Kaiser, H. (1991). “Strengthening structures with CFRP laminates.” Proc., Advanced Compos. Mat. in Civ. Engrg. Struct., ASCE, New York, 224–232.
5.
Ross, C. A., Jerome, D. M., and Hughes, M. L. (1994). “Hardening and rehabilitation of concrete structures using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP).” Final Rep., Wright Laboratory Armament Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
6.
Saadatmanesh, H., and Ehsani, M. R. (1991). “RC beams strengthened with GFRP plates I: Experimental study.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 117(11), 3417–3433.
7.
Sharif, A., Al-Sulaimani, G. J., Basunbul, I. A., Baluch, M. H., and Ghaleb, B. N. (1994). “Strengthening of initially loaded reinforced concrete beams using FRP plates.” ACI Struct. J., 91(2), 160–168.
8.
Standard specifications for highway bridges, 16th Ed. (1996). American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials, Washington, D.C.
9.
Tedesco, J. W., and Stallings, J. M. (1998). “Rehabilitation of a reinforced concrete bridge using FRP laminates.” Final Rep. 930-341, Auburn University Highway Research Center, Auburn, Ala.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
History
Received: Jan 26, 1998
Published online: May 1, 2000
Published in print: May 2000
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.