Testing, Analysis, and Evaluation of a GFRP Deck on Steel Girders
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 4
Abstract
North Carolina has recently installed a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) deck on steel girders at a site in Union County. The bridge was instrumented with foil strain gauges, strain transducers, and displacement transducers. The bridge was then tested with a simulated MS-22.5 design load. Experimental data confirmed full composite interaction between the girders and the FRP deck panels. The neutral axis was measured to be above the bottom flange of the 618-mm-deep girder. It was found that composite action could be estimated within 3% using a transformed section analysis of the deck panels. For two lanes loaded, the maximum live load distribution factor was computed to be 0.75. When looking at the overall performance of the structure, the deck deflected , with the allowable stress at least 10 times over the maximum stress measured in the material. The girder deflection of was well within the parameters set forth by AASHTO. Simple span deflection equations were found to conservatively model the anticipated deflection of the girders when using the transformed section properties.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to express their appreciation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Martin Marietta Composites for their support in providing bridge plans and data for this research. Our thanks is also extended to Dr. Reid Castrodale of Stalite for his invaluable comments.
References
AASHTO. (2002). Standard specifications for highway bridges, AASHTO, Washington, D.C.
AISC. (1998). Manual of steel construction load resistance and factor design, Vol. 1, 2nd Ed., AISC, Chicago.
Alampalli, S., and Kunin, J. (2001). “Load testing of an FRP bridge deck on a truss bridge.” Final Rep. FHWA/NY/SR-01/137, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Advanced Composites Technology Transfer/Bridge Infrastructure Renewal Consortium. (2000). “Advanced composites for bridge infrastructure renewal—Phase II.” Final Rep. DARPA MDA972-94-3-0030 Volume IV Task 16, Washington, D.C.
DuraSpan fiber reinforced polymer bridge deck system. (2002). Martin Marietta Composites, Raleigh, N.C.
Schiff, S., and Philbrick Jr., T. (1999). “Load testing for assessment and rating of highway bridges: Phase I—Review of current and experimental technologies and practices.” Final Rep. SCDOT Research Project No. 588, South Carolina Dept. of Transportation, Columbia, S.C.
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© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: May 27, 2005
Accepted: Sep 28, 2005
Published online: Jul 1, 2006
Published in print: Jul 2006
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