Bridge with Composite Concrete Deck and Glued Laminated Girders Strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer: Design, Construction, and Load Testing

Published: 2005

Author(s):

Davids, W. G.
Dagher, H.
Sanchez, O.
Weaver, C.

Publication Name: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, CD 11-S, TRB, National ResearchCouncil; 2005 Washington, DC. 409-417.

Publication URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287843034_Bridge_with_Composite_Concrete_Deck_and_Glued_Laminated_Girders_Strengthened_with_Fiber-Reinforced_Polymer_Design_Construction_and_Load_Testing

Research Area:

Transportation Infrastrucutre Durability

Keywords:

Bridge, Composite Materials, Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), Glulam, Wood Composites

Abstract:

The design, construction, and monitoring of a bridge with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and glued laminated (glulam) girders with FRP tension reinforcing and a composite concrete deck, constructed during fall 2003 in Fairfield, Maine, are addressed. The use of a composite concrete deck was motivated by the fact that deflection often governs the design of glulam girder bridges, and composite behavior increases the stiffness of the bridge by over 200% and significantly increases strength. The structure relies on a dowel-type shear connector to ensure composite action between the girders and the concrete deck. The design and construction of this bridge required the laboratory testing of both the shear connectors and girder specimens to determine their fatigue durability and strength as well as the development of new analysis tools. An overview of the laboratory testing program is given, including the fatigue testing of both the doweltype shear connectors and two 9.15-m-span FRPglulamconcrete beams.