FRP Composite Bridge Research Articles

Experimental verification of FRP bridge deck's monitoring system based on DFOS sensors

AbstractThe paper presents the smart FRP composite bridge panel called „OptiDeck“ with integrated distributed fibre optic sensors (DFOS), to monitor the panel's behavior. The panel is intended for use in newly build and refurbished road bridges. From structure point of view the uniqueness of the presented solution results from innovative technological production process to create a honeycomb core in thick sandwich panel. In order for the monitoring system to cover the entire surface of the panel and to detect local damage, it was necessary to use a modern solution based on geometrically continuous DFOS system. The DFOS system serves as the structure health monitoring (SHM) system, which has been tested during the production and laboratory testing of a prototypes in natural scale. The advantages of DFOS measurements are well known and applied in many civil engineering applications. However, the potential benefits are still not fully utilized. Finally the experimental verification of the DFOS system integrated with the FRP deck panel is presented.

Use of Polymer in Bridge Rehabilitation

Abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer composite is a relatively new construction material that is slowly gaining traction among civil engineers. Bridge engineering is one of the civil engineering sectors that has benefited from the advent of FRP composite materials. Its advantages over traditional construction materials include a high tensile strength-to-weight ratio, the capacity to be moulded into diverse shapes, and potential resilience to weather conditions, all of which could result in lower maintenance costs. FRP composite is a suitable solution for creative construction because of these features. Experiments on the applicability of FRP composite in bridge structures have been undertaken over the last ten years, including FRP composite girder and bridge deck applications, column and beam strengthening, and so on. The basic knowledge of FRP composites, including mechanical characteristics and manufacturing procedures important to civil engineering applications, will be presented initially in this document. Following that, three case studies will be used to study the use of FRP composites in bridge engineering. At the conclusion, four major factors contributing to the material's sluggish acceptance in the construction sector as whole, despite its success in the aerospace and automobile industries, are discussed.

Development, assessment and implementation of a novel FRP composite girder bridge

A lightweight, easily erected, hybrid glass-carbon FRP bridge girder is developed and assessed. A four-point bend test of a 12.45 m-span specimen is performed to assess load–deflection response, flexural strains and girder-concrete composite action. Web buckling occurred near peak load, but maximum measured bottom flange tensile strain reached more than 90% of its expected ultimate value. Strength and fatigue resistance of the girder-to-deck shear connection is experimentally assessed. Live-load testing of a new, 22.9 m-span bridge using these girders is performed. The test results verify the viability of this FRP girder for short- and medium-span bridges.

Stiffness and strength evaluation of a novel FRP sandwich panel for bridge redecking

The objective of the research described in the paper was the structural development of a FRP composite bridge deck intended for manufacturing and application in road bridges in Poland, mainly for redecking the deteriorated bridge slabs. The appropriate shape of the sandwich bridge deck panel, its overall structure, constituent materials and the associated cost-effective manufacturing technology were determined following a comprehensive analysis of the similar solutions recently developed worldwide. In the first stage three different small-scale deck panel prototypes were designed and fabricated, assuming the various core configuration of the sandwich structure. Based on manufacturing tests and initial static tests the feasibility and stiffness of all prototypes were assessed to select the optimal deck solution in terms of material, structure and technology. In the second stage of the research a full-size 2.0 × 5.0 m bridge deck panel was designed taking into account the bridge loading according to Eurocode 1. The full-size bridge deck prototype was subjected to a series of static load tests simulating the relevant load. The tests confirmed the appropriate stiffness and load carrying capacity of the novel FRP bridge deck panel, quite similar to performance characteristics of other FRP bridge decks implemented worldwide. However, the necessary technological and research works on the novel sandwich bridge deck panel in order to increase its safety level were also outlined.

A Polish approach to FRP bridges

Abstract The paper presents initial results of a new approach to FRP composite bridge construction that is presently being developed and tested in Poland. The concept combines lightweight concrete with FRP composites to create a durable highly optimised structure. The paper describes the bridge system itself and presents the research results on its development. The basic design is presented together with research results on its development: FEM analysis and a range of static test results of full-scale bridge beam experiments. The paper finishes with some test results of a full scale bridge that was constructed near Rzeszow in December 2015.

Design and research on the first polish FRP composite road bridge

Abstract The main goal of the research project was to develop and demonstrate the first Polish FRP composite road bridge, starting from concept design and material research, and going thru manufacturing technique selection, detailed FEM analysis and structural testing of elements. The R&D project comprises also the proof test of the completed bridge as well as structural monitoring in exploitation period. The objective of the paper is the description of the bridge and its structural solutions, i.e. FRP box girders and lightweight concrete deck slab acting compositely. Further the FEM analysis of the girder and the bridge span made on design stage has been presented. The VARTM manufacturing technique was used for girders production. Its main steps have been also presented. Finally the research on the new FRP box girder with LRC slab (hybrid girder) has been briefly showed. The full scale prototype girder with the total length of 22 m was tested to evaluate its carrying capacity, modes of failure, basic dynamic parameters as well as overall behaviour under ultimate static load. The FRP girder met the prescribed serviceability and safety criteria. The FEM model of the girder was validated against testing results and was further used for bridge design. Thanks to R&D project the first Polish FRP bridge is likely to be built late autumn 2015. The output of the research project gives a very promising future for the FRP composite bridge application. The research works showed in the paper have been partially financed by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development in the frame of the research project “ComBridge” (www.com-bridge.pl).

Optimum design of FRP bridge deck: an efficient RS-HDMR based approach

A novel efficient hybrid method based on random sampling-high dimensional model representations (RS-HDMR) and genetic algorithm coupled with a local unconstrained multivariable minimization function is proposed in this study for optimization of FRP composite web core bridge deck panels. The optimization is performed for lightweight design of FRP composite bridge deck panels based on deflection limit, stresses, buckling and failure criteria and subsequently the representative design curves are developed considering normal as well as skew configurations of FRP bridge decks. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to study the effect of variation in geometry of the bridge deck to its deflection, stress and buckling behaviours. High level of computational efficiency can be achieved without compromising the accuracy of results for optimization of high dimensional systems following the proposed approach.

Research on the FRP bridge girder under static load

The CFRP composite materials due to their excellent mechanical properties are more and more often used in civil engineering. In recent more than ten years one could have observed f.e. much more wider application of FRP in bridge construction. The main goal of the ongoing research project was to develop and demonstrate FRP composite bridge girder, including their technical design, material research, manufacturing technique selection and structural testing on full scale model. The objective of the paper is the development and research on a new FRP bridge girder fabricated by VARTM manufacturing technique. The reduced scale prototype girder with the total length of 13,5 m was tested to evaluate its carrying capacity, overall behavior under ultimate static load, as well as modes of failure. The girder met the prescribed serviceability and safety criteria and is likely to be implemented on-site soon for bridge construction. The output of the research project gives a very promising future for the FRP application in bridge engineering.

Effects of hygrothermal aging on glass-fibre reinforced polymer laminates and adhesive of FRP composite bridge: Moisture diffusion characteristics

Moisture absorption and hygrothermal aging in glass-fibre-reinforced polymer laminates and a structural adhesive of FRP composite bridge are studied. By gravimetric experiments, the moisture diffusion in GFRP laminates and adhesive is characterised in four environmental aging conditions (20°C–50% RH (relative humidity), 20°C–water, 40°C–96% RH and 40°C–water). Based on the analytical models from 1D and 3D moisture diffusion theories, the moisture diffusion coefficients are determined by the best least-square curve fitting to experimental data. Finite Element models are further developed, which subsequently validate the analytically obtained moisture diffusion coefficients. The FE analysis indicates that, for identification of 3D moisture diffusion coefficients of anisotropic FRP materials, the equivalent diffusion coefficient method is unreliable, and the 3D moisture diffusion theory is essential. Furthermore, mass loss is found for the Square and Rectangular specimens under 40°C–water condition. Polymer relaxation is observed for structural adhesive.

Design and Testing of a Concrete Safety Barrier for Use on a Temporary FRP Composite Bridge Deck

AbstractFiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials can be used for the fabrication of lightweight, corrosion-resistant honeycomb sandwich panels, representing a convenient and economical alternative to traditional steel RC for bridge decks. Composite panels are particularly advantageous for the construction of temporary bridge structures in terms of both ease of construction and reusability of panels. Although FRP sandwich panels have been considered for the construction of bridge decks, no barrier system has been developed and crash tested for use with this specific type of deck. The objective of this research project was to develop a crashworthy concrete barrier system for use with temporary FRP composite bridge decks. Upon failure of a full-scale crash test with a New Jersey concrete safety shape barrier, an accurate analysis of the potential problems led to a series of design modifications to the barrier as well as to the attachment between the composite deck and both the bridge structure and ...

Structural Characteristics of FRP-Concrete Bridge Deck System

This paper describes the structural forms for hybrid FRP-concrete highway bridge deck. This bridge deck is applid in a project, which involved the implement of FRP-concrete deck over prestress concrete girders. In this project three forms of FRP reinforcing were combined to reinforce the concrete deck. This paper introduced another stiffened FRP deck panels connecte with the FRP composite girders in the steel-free FRP-composite modular bridge system. It is shown that the combination of FRP meterial and concrete for bridge deck is recommended in the design of highway bridge.

Experimental Investigation on the Structural Behavior of Shear Connectors Used in the FRP and Concrete Bridge Deck System

Feasibility study on the use of newly developed FRP and concrete composite bridge deck system is conducted. To lengthen the service life of bridge deck, the steel-free bridge deck system is developed. In this deck system, shear connectors between FRP module and concrete are utilized and structural behavior of shear connectors is investigated experimentally. The result of an investigation reveals that the system is promising.

Fatigue Studies of FRP Composite Decks at Extreme Environmental Conditions

A summary of the experimental fatigue characterization of FRP composite bridge decks at two extreme temperatures [-30 ° C (-22 ° F) and 50 ° C (122 ° F)] is presented. Each deck was initially subjected to one million wheel load cycles at low temperature and another one million cycles at high temperature [1,2]. The results presented in this paper correspond to the fatigue response of each deck for four million load cycles at low temperature and another four million cycles at high temperature. Thus, the each deck was subjected to a total of ten million cycles. Progressive degradation in stiffness with cycling was noted for each deck. Comparisons of responses were made between the different FRP composite deck configurations and materials.

Comparison of the fatigue behaviors of FRP bridge decks and reinforced concrete conventional decks under extreme environmental conditions

This paper summarizes the results of the fatigue test of four composite bridge decks in extreme temperatures (-30°C and 50°C). The work was performed as part of a research program to evaluate and install multiple FRP bridge deck systems in Dayton, Ohio. A two-span continuous concrete deck was also built on three steel girders for the benchmark tests. Simulated wheel loads were applied simultaneously at two points by two servo-controlled hydraulic actuators specially designed and fabricated to perform under extreme temperatures. Each deck was initially subjected to one million wheel load cycles at low temperature and another one million cycles at high temperature. The results presented in this paper correspond to the fatigue response of each deck for four million load cycles at low temperature and another four million cycles at high temperature. Thus, the deck was subjected to a total of ten million cycles. Quasi-static load-deflection and load-strain responses were determined at predetermined fatigue cycle levels. Except for the progressive reduction in stiffness, no significant distress was observed in any of the composite deck prototypes during ten million load cycles. The effects of extreme temperatures and accumulated load cycles on the load-deflection and load-strain response of FRP composite and FRP-concrete hybrid bridge decks are discussed based on the experimental results.