Experimental Study on Full-Scale Pretensioned Bridge Girder Damaged by Vehicle Impact and Repaired with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Technology
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 17, Issue 5
Abstract
A bridge was damaged when a dump truck violated the height clearance limitation on Highway 401 in Ontario, Canada. The collision caused extensive damage to the AASHTO Type-III precast/prestressed bridge girders, which led to the closure of the two-lane bridge. Crack mapping showed extensive torsion-shear cracks between the girder quarter points, horizontal crack at the flange-web junctions, and spalled concrete at point of impact. Preliminary elastic testing on the girder established that the flexural capacity of the girder had not been significantly affected. As such, flexural strengthening was not necessary. Crack patterns and severity, followed by analysis, have shown that the girder is deficient in shear capacity. Therefore, the girder was strengthened for shear throughout its entire length using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. This paper presents a summary of the design and detailing of the elastic behavior test conducted before repair, the girder repair methodology, and results from proof load testing of the repaired girder. It was shown that the rehabilitated girder could sustain flexural live load demand. A field application was also carried out using the same rehabilitation technique on another impact-damaged bridge in Ontario. It was viewed as a major budget-saving project compared to the girder replacement alternative, because of the speed of rehabilitation and the minor traffic disruptions.
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Acknowledgments
This research project was made possible by funding from Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s Bridge Office, Dr. Sennah’s Ryerson Research Award from Ryerson University, and research funding from Dr. A. Fam of Queens University. The in-kind contribution of CRRP materials by The RJ Watson Group of Buffalo and Fyfe Co. The Fibrewrap Company of San Diego, USA, is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Premier Corrosion of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, for sand-plasting and CFRP installation. The Euclid Chemical Company of Toronto and Powell Contracting of Gormley, Ontario, Canada, kindly donated the grouting bags and concrete barriers for testing, respectively. Special thanks are extended to Mr. Howard Sahsuvar for assisting in conducting the elastic load testing before rehabilitation. The continuous support, commitment and dedication of Mr. Nidal Jaalouk, the Senior Technical Officer of Ryerson University, was an integral part of all experimental work reported in this study. Opinions expressed in this research project are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 17 • Issue 5 • October 2013
Pages: 662 - 672
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 7, 2012
Accepted: Apr 3, 2013
Published online: Apr 5, 2013
Discussion open until: Sep 5, 2013
Published in print: Oct 1, 2013
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