Double-Layer Prefabricated FRP Grids for Rapid Bridge Deck Construction: Case Study
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 10, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper presents a case study of prefabricated double-layer pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) grids for bridge deck construction. These grids were used to reinforce a long by wide (130 by ) bridge deck on US Highway 151 over the De Neveu Creek in Wisconsin. The Federal Highway Administration Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program invested resources in this program to investigate new uses for off-the-shelf technologies in constructing highway bridges. The feasibility of modifying manufacturing techniques to create innovative double-layer, 3D pultruded, FRP grids measuring long by wide by deep ( by by 6 1/2 in.) was investigated. In addition, the feasibility of placing the grids rapidly and constructing a bridge deck was also demonstrated. The FRP grids were required to meet a prescriptive material specification and a structural performance specification. Shear connectors were designed by the manufacturer to join large top and bottom grids to form an integrated 3D reinforcing module. From a construction perspective, the reinforcement grids were designed to be moved in a single lift of a crane and placed on the bridge girders. The paper reports on the development of the FRP 3D grids and provides details on the construction aspects of the bridge project.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this project was provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) through the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program (IBRC) and by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Special thanks are due to Jay Carter of Alfred Benesch & Co., Dave Sweere of Lunda Construction, and Stan Woods, Gerry Anderson, Finn Hubbard, and Bao Tran of WisDOT for their contributions to this innovative project. Thanks to Prof. A. Nanni and the University of Missouri-Rolla for assistance with the load testing.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 10 • Issue 3 • June 2006
Pages: 204 - 212
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 22, 2005
Accepted: Jun 10, 2005
Published online: Jun 1, 2006
Published in print: Jun 2006
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