Structural performance of fiber reinforced polymer composite deck bridges: Fid-Bau Portal

Structural performance of fiber reinforced polymer composite deck bridges

Shekar, Vimala / GangaRao, Hota V.S.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is committed to the strategic goals of rehabilitating nation's bridges that are structurally deficient. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are one of the advanced materials that seem to have great potential in bridge deck repair and replacements with substantial increases in load rating capacities of older bridges. The Constructed Facilities Center (CFC) at West Virginia University (WVU) has been in the forefront of developing new and cost-effective glass FRP structural shapes for bridge applications. In the state of West Virginia alone, there are over thirty (30) bridges that have been built or rehabilitated using FRP composite materials. Wickwire and Laurel Hill Run are two such bridges constructed with FRP bridge decks that were monitored long term (over 3 years) and structurally evaluated. The CFC-WVU along with West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) performed field monitoring of these bridges (Wickwire Run and Laurel Hill Run) by performing static load tests. The response measurements from controlled truck load tests on the two bridges included: 1) deck and stringer strains, and 2) deflections. Static response parameters computed from measured data are: 1) Degree of composite action between deck and stringer, 2) Transverse Load Distribution Factor (TLDF), 3) Deck and stringer stresses. In this paper the static performance evaluations of Wickwire Run and Laurel Hill Run bridges are highlighted. Test results from both bridges indicated that TLDF was found to be close to AASHTO equations of concrete decks and steel stringers, and there was no significant fatigue deterioration in the deck-to-stringer connections. Also, deck and stringers deflection and stresses were well within design limits.