Design, construction and load testing of a composite FRP-glulam-concrete girder bridge

Published: 2015

Author(s):
Davids, W. G.
Dagher, H. J.
Sanchez, O.
Weaver, C.

Publication Name: Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, CD 11-S, TRB, National Research Council;

Publication URL: https://trid.trb.org/view/758507

Research Area:
Keywords:

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 dowel-type shear connectors and two 9.15-m-span FRP-glulam-concrete beams. Strains and displacements measured during the testing program agree well with the analysis results. Design details of the 21.3-m-long bridge in Fairfield are discussed, followed by a summary and assessment of the construction of the bridge. Strains and displacements measured during live load testing of the bridge are reported, which indicate that the as-built bridge achieves a high degree of composite action.